Australia have won the AFC playoff on a Tim CAHILL header in extra time. The Socceroos defeat Syria 3-2 on aggregate and move on to face the fourth placed team in the CONCACAF final round, with a place in Russia on the line.

Australia had the slight edge after earning a draw in the first leg, played in Malaysia due to the ongoing conflict in Syria. However, it was the Qasioun Eagles who struck first in the return leg in Sydney. Omar AL SOMA, who scored Syria’s equaliser in the first leg, put them ahead on aggregate six minutes into this match.

But veteran striker Cahill needed only seven more minutes to draw the home side level again. Australia enjoyed the majority of possession the remainder of the way, but no winner was forthcoming. With the teams level 2-2 on aggregate and 1-1 on away goals, extra time was required.

Just four minutes into the first extra time session, the visitors were reduced to ten men. Mahmoud AL MAWAS’s foul on Robbie KRUSE drew out a second yellow card from the referee.

Cahill would make the advantage count in the 109th minute, when he headed home Kruse’s cross for his 50th international goal, touching off the celebrations in Sydney. The Socceroos move on to the CONCACAF/​AFC playoff next month against the fourth placed finisher in the CONCACAF final round, from which the winner qualifies for Russia 2018.