Syria draw for Bahrain

Bahrain finished their preparations for the Gulf Cup with a 2-2 draw with Syria at Bahrain National Stadium in Manama yesterday. Syria took the lead four minutes before the break through a powerful shot from Maher al Sayed. Bahrain levelled four minutes into the second-half through substitute Salman Issa but Syria regained their lead in the 68th minute with a goal from striker Mohamed al Zeno. However, Abdullah al Dakeel headed an equaliser with two minutes remaining. Bahrain kick off their campaign in Muscat against Iraq on Sunday at 8.15pm).

The Iraq coach Jorvan Vieira was left in despair after the Pro League club Al Ahli scored an injury-time equaliser to deny his side a win in last night's friendly in Dubai. * With agencies