Syria’s hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup are alive and kicking after they came from behind to grab a controversial first-leg draw against Australia in Malacca.

The Socceroos held a solitary one-goal lead for 45 minutes after Robbie Kruse’s strike in the first half but a disputed penalty, tucked home by Omar Al Soma with five minutes left, gave the Syrians a lifeline going into the return leg in Sydney.



The Australia coach, Ange Postecoglou, had faced a torrent of criticism after his side failed to qualify automatically on goal difference for the 2018 World Cup. He rang the changes, handing the Suwon Bluewings defender Matt Jurman his international debut and surprisingly leaving the Celtic playmaker Tom Rogic on the bench.

In hot and steamy conditions, and on a dire pitch at Hang Jebat Stadium, the Socceroos struggled to find their rhythm early on. Jurman had a chance in the second minute, after Matthew Leckie was hauled down on the edge of the box, but the centre back’s header from the free-kick that followed sailed wide.

Australia should have taken the lead in the 17th minute after a wonderful long-range shot by the stand-in captain, Mark Milligan. But Ibrahim Alma pulled off a spectacular save to keep the score at 0-0. Leckie was causing the Syrian defence some problems and he blazed over the bar 12 minutes later after Josh Risdon’s cutback. The Qasioun Eagles were content to sit back and play on the counter, lumping long balls up to the striker Al Soma. The forward set up Omar Khribin with a great cross in the 34th minute but Khribin’s attempt was unsuccessful. The two attackers combined in similar circumstances four minutes later but Khribin’s ambitious bicycle kick failed to trouble Mat Ryan. The breakthrough came from the Socceroos in the form of Leckie in the 40th minute. He was released on the right by Milos Degenek and the winger beat his man, cutting inside to release a shot that was deflected in by Kruse on the Vfl Bochum forward’s 29th birthday. Syria started the second half with intent, with Mahmoud Al Mawas forcing Ryan into his first save of the game. They were, however, reprieved in the 49th minute as Tomi Juric beat Alma twice, only for both shots to hit a post. They were riding their luck but soon the roles were reversed after Australia needed Leckie to block Khribin’s drive, after the ball kindly fell to him on the edge of the box.



The game was opening up as both teams surged forward. First, Soma headed over from a corner and then he should have scored after an exquisite cutback, if not for a timely tackle by Degenek. Syria continued to pose more problems, a series of free-kicks and corners keeping the men in green and gold under heavy pressure. Postecoglou tried to shore up his midfield by bringing Kruse off for Massimo Luongo.

It was a nervy final 20 minutes for Australia. Syria’s talisman Firas Al Khatib, controversially left on the bench, was finally introduced in the 75th minute. His impact was almost immediate as he launched a dangerous cross into Ryan’s box. Then the Brighton & Hove Albion keeper somehow managed to deflect a shot from Al Khatib’s pass on to the post and miraculously out of the goal. Syria kept probing and eventually got their reward. Leckie went from hero to villain when he was harshly judged to have jostled an opponent when jumping up to challenge for a header. The referee pointed to the spot and Al Soma calmly stepped up to convert past Ryan. The drama did not stop there as both sides had the chance to win the game in the frenetic closing stages. First Alma brilliantly palmed away a Trent Sainsbury header and then Ryan was forced into saving spectacular shot by Moayad Ajan from distance. But it ended with the spoils shared and all eyes on Sydney in five days time.

