Syria and Australia have played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the AFC playoff. Omar AL SOMA’s 85th minute penalty levelled the match after Robbie KRUSE put the Socceroos ahead late in the first half.

Playing their home leg in Krubong, Malaysia due to the ongoing civil war, Syria were on the back foot for much of the first half, and Kruse would eventually open the scoring in the 40th minute by turning in a shot from Mathew LECKIE. Early in the second half, Tomi JURIC had two opportunities to double Australia’s advantage. His initial shot struck the post and rebounded right to his feet, but astoundingly his followup hit the very same post.

But as the second half wound down, Leckie’s push to the back of Al Soma was caught by the referee. Al Soma converted his own penalty to send the teams to Sydney on level pegging, though the Socceroos have a valuable away goal. The second leg will be played at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday, with the aggregate winner to face the fourth placed team in the CONCACAF final round.