Sydney: Australia and Syria go into the second leg of their continental play-off on Tuesday with FIFA World Cup qualification in their sights after drawing the first leg 1-1 in Melaka on Thursday.
Robbie Kruse gave the Socceroos a one-goal lead at the interval before Omar Al Soma’s late penalty ensured the Qasioun Eagles travel to Stadium Australia on level terms ahead of a game that will decide who advances to the Inter-Continental Play-off with the fourth-ranked team from CONCACAF in November.
That could be either the United States, Panama or Honduras, with the CONCACAF Qualifiers also ending on Tuesday.
Australia
Australia have qualified for the past three FIFA World Cups and know victory in front of their own fans will take them to within one final hurdle of a fourth successive appearance for the Asian champions.
Ange Postecoglou’s side will be confident they can overcome resilient opponents in Syria, having won four and drawn one of their five home games in the third round of qualifying.
Top scorer Tomi Juric had a quiet night on Thursday yet almost gave his side a two-goal cushion early in the second half when he struck the post twice in quick succession, and the five-goal frontman will be looking to get on the scoresheet for the third home game in a row.
Elsewhere, midfielder Aaron Mooy controls the tempo from the middle of the park, while Mathew Leckie has contributed valuable goals over the course of the campaign and Kruse will be buoyed by his first strike for Australia for almost three years.
Syria
Syria go into the clash looking to create history by progressing to the FIFA World Cup for the first time after producing some remarkable results in the third round of qualifying.
Their never-say-die attitude was again on display in Melaka on Thursday as Al Soma’s late penalty maintained their unbeaten run in Malaysia and meant that 50 percent of their goals have now come from the 85th minute onwards.
Ayman Al Hakeem’s team are not as strong on the road but have claimed victory in China and a 2-2 draw in the Islamic Republic of Iran and, with Al Soma scoring in the past two games, have the artillery to cause any defence problems.
Al Soma’s strike partner Omar Khribin is suspended after picking up a booking on Thursday, but veteran playmaker Firas Al Khatib was highly impressive after coming on late in the second half and will be pushing for a place in starting line-up on Tuesday.
Suspensions: Omar Khribin, Khaled Al Mbayed, Hadi Al Masri (Syria)
Australia vs Syria
Venue: Stadium Australia, Sydney
Kick-off: October 10, 20:00 UTC+11
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com