By Mark Baber
September 6 – On an evening of high drama, World Cup qualifiers across seven time zones saw Saudi Arabia and South Korea qualify for the World Cup in Russia, whilst Australia and Syria will now face each other for a place in the AFC-CONCACAF play-off.
In a match of high emotion Syria went ahead against Iran in Tehran, before falling behind to two goals. Syrian hopes of qualifying for Russia appeared to be lost until they scored an equaliser deep into added on time at the end of the game.
Syria’s goals made them the first team to score against Iran in 13 qualification matches.
The result edged them into third place, just ahead of Uzbekistan who only managed a goalless draw against South Korea and send them into a play-off against Australia for a chance to face a CONCACAF team for a place in the finals.
South Korea’s point against Uzbekistan was enough, coupled with Syria’s 2-2 draw in Iran, to see them secure runners-up position and qualification to their tenth World Cup finals.
In Group B, Saudi Arabia became the first Arab team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia after beating Japan, who had already qualified, with a single second half goal. The result put the Saudi’s into second place in the group, ahead of Australia, who could only manage a 2-1 win against Thailand, on goal difference. 2018 will be Saudi’s first World Cup finals appearance since Germany in 2006.
Australia and Syria will now battle over two legs in October to reach the CONCACAF-Asian Zone play-off.
For Syria, to have progressed this far in the tournament is a major triumph over adversity. They have played their home fixtures in Malaysia. Whichever side wins the play-off will meet either Costa Rica or Trinidad and Tobago or more probably Panama, United States or Honduras in an inter-confederation play-off.
Disappointment at failure to progress will be felt particularly in China, whose footballing ambitions have been central stage recently but who despite winning 2-1 against Qatar (they have won three of their last four games after a terrible start in the final qualifying round) could only manage fifth in Group A, ahead only of the 2022 hosts.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714768964labto1714768964ofdlr1714768964owedi1714768964sni@r1714768964ebab.1714768964kram1714768964
