Asian Cup holders Iraq avenged their defeat to Syria last week by beating them 1-0 in a friendly in Damascus.

Iraq, who lost to Syria last Saturday in Al Sulaimaniya, owe their win to defender Salam Shaker who scored the only goal of the game with a powerful shot from inside the area with only three minutes remaining.

Iraq will now leave for Saudi Arabia, where they will play a friendly on 28 December before travelling on to Qatar where they will defend their AFC Asian Cup title in Group D alongside Iran, the United Arab Emirates and North Korea.

Syria, who were drawn in Group B along with Saudi Arabia, Japan and Jordan, will continue their preparations with a friendly against India on 26 December.