Disputed penalty lifts Syria World Cup hopes
Omar al-Soma's disputed penalty kept alive the dream of the Syrian World Cup on Thursday, as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Australia and create a second stage in Sydney.
Australia was stunned by Soma's crucial point in the 85th minute after the imposing forward was pushed into the air by Mathew Leckie and Iranian referee Alireza Faghani pointed the spot. The Syrian striker, who only recently returned to the war-torn team after a long absence believed to be for political reasons, safely swept his penalty for Mathew Ryan to leave the tie on a knife. Syria, playing their home games in Malaysia for
safety reasons, is looking for a fairytale debut in the World Cup, while Australian Asian champions are being forced to squirm in their bid to qualify for the fourth time in a row. Potential winners after the second day of Tuesday in Sydney will face the fourth CONCACAF federation team for a place in next year's World Cup in Russia. Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said he was "perplexed" by the penalty decision, which overturned Robbie Kruse's first game in the first half and came after Tomi Juric hit the same post twice in quick succession. "It's a little disappointing conceding a goal like we did with a decision," he said. "When a man gets up and wins a butt I'm a bit confused, but that's what it is." Kruse was much less diplomatic when he was quoted by Fox Sports as saying, "It's never a pen, but you come to Hope in this (Asian) Confederation" - "We took control" - Both teams made a cautious start in front of a meager crowd but dominated by Syria in sultry conditions at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca. Mark Milligan's shot with the outside of his left boot tested Mahmoud al-Youssef in 19 minutes, while Soma provided Syria's main threat on the other end. Leckie flew in 29 minutes before Soma twice by Omar Khribin for opportunities that the Al Hilal-wide striker put wide of the Australian goal. Five minutes before half-time, Leckie created Australia's opening match when he received a cross from Milos Degenek's right-footed shot, curling inside and firing a shot from Kruse's boot. After the pause, Juric was unlucky to see his shot rebound from the wood - and even unluckier when, strangely, he smashed the rebound from the same post. But Syria looked dangerous and Khribin was blocked by Leckie before Soma led a good shot and was denied an almost certain goal by Degenek's last stride. As the game progressed towards the fourth quarter, Ouday Jaffal had a free kick at close range clear of the line and Khribin picked up the set set sailing solo. Syria had to be at the height of the 78 minutes, but Soma's header was deflected to the post at a reflex stop by Ryan. The critical moment came with six minutes to go, when Leckie made contact with Soma, as both jumped to the head a high ball and Faghani blew by the penalty. In the dying exchanges, Trent Sainsbury had a short save header and Ryan took a shot from Moayad al-Ajan but they shared the boots to set the decisive time on Tuesday in Sydney. "In the first half we were not as good as we should be, but in the second half we took control of the match until the last minute," Soma said. "The game in Australia will be difficult, in front of their fans and in their local headquarters ... but there is no impossibility in football," he added.
Australia was stunned by Soma's crucial point in the 85th minute after the imposing forward was pushed into the air by Mathew Leckie and Iranian referee Alireza Faghani pointed the spot. The Syrian striker, who only recently returned to the war-torn team after a long absence believed to be for political reasons, safely swept his penalty for Mathew Ryan to leave the tie on a knife. Syria, playing their home games in Malaysia for
safety reasons, is looking for a fairytale debut in the World Cup, while Australian Asian champions are being forced to squirm in their bid to qualify for the fourth time in a row. Potential winners after the second day of Tuesday in Sydney will face the fourth CONCACAF federation team for a place in next year's World Cup in Russia. Australia coach Ange Postecoglou said he was "perplexed" by the penalty decision, which overturned Robbie Kruse's first game in the first half and came after Tomi Juric hit the same post twice in quick succession. "It's a little disappointing conceding a goal like we did with a decision," he said. "When a man gets up and wins a butt I'm a bit confused, but that's what it is." Kruse was much less diplomatic when he was quoted by Fox Sports as saying, "It's never a pen, but you come to Hope in this (Asian) Confederation" - "We took control" - Both teams made a cautious start in front of a meager crowd but dominated by Syria in sultry conditions at the Hang Jebat Stadium in Malacca. Mark Milligan's shot with the outside of his left boot tested Mahmoud al-Youssef in 19 minutes, while Soma provided Syria's main threat on the other end. Leckie flew in 29 minutes before Soma twice by Omar Khribin for opportunities that the Al Hilal-wide striker put wide of the Australian goal. Five minutes before half-time, Leckie created Australia's opening match when he received a cross from Milos Degenek's right-footed shot, curling inside and firing a shot from Kruse's boot. After the pause, Juric was unlucky to see his shot rebound from the wood - and even unluckier when, strangely, he smashed the rebound from the same post. But Syria looked dangerous and Khribin was blocked by Leckie before Soma led a good shot and was denied an almost certain goal by Degenek's last stride. As the game progressed towards the fourth quarter, Ouday Jaffal had a free kick at close range clear of the line and Khribin picked up the set set sailing solo. Syria had to be at the height of the 78 minutes, but Soma's header was deflected to the post at a reflex stop by Ryan. The critical moment came with six minutes to go, when Leckie made contact with Soma, as both jumped to the head a high ball and Faghani blew by the penalty. In the dying exchanges, Trent Sainsbury had a short save header and Ryan took a shot from Moayad al-Ajan but they shared the boots to set the decisive time on Tuesday in Sydney. "In the first half we were not as good as we should be, but in the second half we took control of the match until the last minute," Soma said. "The game in Australia will be difficult, in front of their fans and in their local headquarters ... but there is no impossibility in football," he added.
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