Earlier, Lerner's right-hand man General Charles C Krulak said he believed O'Neill quit as manager because of the financial limits he was expected to work under and because he thought he was bigger than the club.

BBC: Randy Lerner explains Martin O'Neill exit from Villa

The result left both nations on four points from two matches in Group C ahead of the day's other game, which saw 10-man Bahrain get off the mark with a 5-2 victory over India as Ismaeel Abdulatif scored four goals.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS