Singapore, Oct 16 (IANS): Singapore clinched a surprise win against Syria 2-1 here Tuesday evening in an Asian Cup qualifier, Xinhua reported.

The Singaporeans had lost 0-4 to Jordan and 0-2 to Oman in their previous Group A matches, and weren't expected to get the better of their 143rd-ranked opponents who are 16 places above them in the FIFA standings.

There was little to separate the two sides in a first-half filled with attempts at goal. Singapore broke the deadlock with a goal in the 61st minute from striker Khairul Amri. Striker Gabriel Quak then added one more goal at the 80th minute.

Syria's Reja Rafe narrowed the deficit in the 88th minute with a strike from outside the box.

Singapore is now at the third position in group A, ahead of Syria. It will take on Jordan at home Nov 19.

Singapore coach Bernd Stange had also indicated that he wanted to give the U-23 players in his squad more high-level competitive exposure in the run-up to the Southeast Asian Games in December.