Striker Omar Al Somah scored a late equaliser from the penalty spot to give his side a creditable 1-1 draw against Australia in the first leg of their playoff tie.

Australia had taken a first half lead through German-based striker Robbie Kruse before Al Somah’s late show five minutes from time gave Syria a little hope ahead of the second leg in Australia on Tuesday.

Syria had been playing their home games in Malaysia but they didn’t let that bother them in what was a battling display against the Australians with the playoff winner expected to battle a CONCACAF team for a place in Russia next summer.