CNN | October 10 2017
One year, two months and 29 days after Syria began their qualifying campaign against Afghanistan, their hopes of reaching a first ever World Cup were finally ended against Australia in Sydney.
For almost 120 minutes of nail biting action, it looked as though a penalty shootout would be required to separate two teams who had been equally matched over two legs.
But, after 110 minutes, Australian stalwart Tim Cahill popped up with a 50th goal for his country to send the Socceroos through to the intercontinental play-off. Cahill’s second goal of the game gave Australia a 2-1 victory and a 3-2 aggregate win.
In far better conditions than the two teams had encountered in the first leg in Malaysia — a difficult pitch allied to humid weather — many had written Syria off before a ball had been kicked in Sydney.
But any doubts as to whether the “Qasioun Eagles” were in with a genuine chance of continuing their World Cup journey were dispelled after just six minutes.
Mark Milligan’s stray pass in midfield was pounced upon by Tamer Haj Mohamad, who drove at the heart of the Australia defense.
The midfielder, who plays for the Dhofar Club in Oman, spotted Omar Al Somah’s run and threaded a through ball into his path.
Syria’s star striker took two touches — one to cushion the pass, the second a fortunate bobble — before calmly drilling the ball high over Mathew Ryan in the Australian goal.
In truth, the goal was against the run of play. As they did in the first leg, Australia started the match with intent but without much of a cutting edge.
Stadium had begun to dream of Russia, they were left deflated just seven minutes later.
Lurking with intent at the far post, as he has done throughout his career, was the 37-year-old Cahill — coming to Australia’s rescue once again — who headed the ball back across goal past the helpless Ibrahim Alma.
That goal injected a bit more confidence into the Australian team and there was now an assuredness and intent to their passing.