Australia 3-2 Syria

Al Ain: Tom Rogic’s injury time stunner earned Australia a dramatic 3-2 win over Syria and a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

The Celtic midfielder struck from 25 yards to finally beat a determined Syrian side, who looked set to secure a point for new coach Fajr Ebrahim and his team, and maintain their slim hopes of a place in the next phase.

But Rogic’s goal not only ensured Australia progressed to the next round in second place in Group B but also eliminated the Syrians, who finished bottom of the group after Palestine picked up a point in their meeting with Jordan.

Syria looked set to earn a draw after twice coming from behind to level, with Omar Khrbin cancelling out Awer Mabil’s opener and Omar Al Soma netting from the penalty spot after Chris Ikonomidis had put Australia back in front.

The Syrians, buoyed by the arrival of new coach Ebrahim, had the better of the opening exchanges and, with 12 minutes gone, Al Soma gave Graham Arnold’s team a fright when he headed over. Just seconds later Khrbin shot across the face of goal after a poor clearance by Mat Ryan ended up at the feet of the former AFC Player of the Year.

Australia were struggling to deal with the intensity of the Syrians and, on the half-hour mark, Embrahim’s team thought they had taken the lead when Mouaiad Al Ajaan’s free-kick from distance found its way past Ryan, only for referee Cesar Ramos to rule it out for a foul on Mark Milligan in the build-up.

That let-off gave the Australians a boost, Ikonomidis finding the hands of Ibrahim Alma with his long range attempt before the Syrian keeper twice denied Jamie Maclaren. Mabil, meanwhile, saw his effort blocked by the defence.

In the 41st minute, though, Mabil ensured the Australian pressure paid off with a perfect curling left foot strike that gave Alma no chance as the ball arced its way inside the keeper’s right post.

The lead was to last less than two minutes, however, as Al Ajaan seared down the left flank beyond Rhyan Grant and sent in a cross that Khrbin headed goalward. Ryan made the initial save, but Khrbin converted the rebound.

Nine minutes after the restart, though, Australia were back in front.

Rogic’s sweeping ball from the left slid past Hussein Al Jwayed to land at the feet of Ikonomidis, who steered his effort over the line despite a despairing dive from Omro Al Midani. The Syrian defence thought Al Midani had kept the ball from crossing the line, but referee Cesar Ramos awarded the goal to the Socceroos.

Substitute Giannou Apostolos then hit the post 15 minutes from time as the Socceroos sought to kill the game, and five minutes later Syria were level after referee Ramos pointed to the spot and Al Soma converted.

The points looked destined to be shared until Rogic intervened three minutes into added time with a superb strike, beating Alam to his left with a blistering effort from distance.

 

Source : AFC Asian Football Confederation WEBSITE

Highlights: Australia 3-2 Syria (AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019: Group Stage)

#AFCAsianCup2019 Australia 3-2 Syria

Al Ain: Tom Rogic’s injury time stunner earned Australia a dramatic 3-2 win over Syria and a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

The Celtic midfielder struck from 25 yards to finally beat a determined Syrian side, who looked set to secure a point for new coach Fajr Ebrahim and his team, and maintain their slim hopes of a place in the next phase.

But Rogic’s goal not only ensured Australia progressed to the next round in second place in Group B but also eliminated the Syrians, who finished bottom of the group after Palestine picked up a point in their meeting with Jordan.

Syria looked set to earn a draw after twice coming from behind to level, with Omar Khrbin cancelling out Awer Mabil’s opener and Omar Al Soma netting from the penalty spot after Chris Ikonomidis had put Australia back in front.

The Syrians, buoyed by the arrival of new coach Ebrahim, had the better of the opening exchanges and, with 12 minutes gone, Al Soma gave Graham Arnold’s team a fright when he headed over. Just seconds later Khrbin shot across the face of goal after a poor clearance by Mat Ryan ended up at the feet of the former AFC Player of the Year.

Australia were struggling to deal with the intensity of the Syrians and, on the half-hour mark, Embrahim’s team thought they had taken the lead when Mouaiad Al Ajaan’s free-kick from distance found its way past Ryan, only for referee Cesar Ramos to rule it out for a foul on Mark Milligan in the build-up.

That let-off gave the Australians a boost, Ikonomidis finding the hands of Ibrahim Alma with his long range attempt before the Syrian keeper twice denied Jamie Maclaren. Mabil, meanwhile, saw his effort blocked by the defence.

In the 41st minute, though, Mabil ensured the Australian pressure paid off with a perfect curling left foot strike that gave Alma no chance as the ball arced its way inside the keeper’s right post.

The lead was to last less than two minutes, however, as Al Ajaan seared down the left flank beyond Rhyan Grant and sent in a cross that Khrbin headed goalward. Ryan made the initial save, but Khrbin converted the rebound.

Nine minutes after the restart, though, Australia were back in front.

Rogic’s sweeping ball from the left slid past Hussein Al Jwayed to land at the feet of Ikonomidis, who steered his effort over the line despite a despairing dive from Omro Al Midani. The Syrian defence thought Al Midani had kept the ball from crossing the line, but referee Cesar Ramos awarded the goal to the Socceroos.

Substitute Giannou Apostolos then hit the post 15 minutes from time as the Socceroos sought to kill the game, and five minutes later Syria were level after referee Ramos pointed to the spot and Al Soma converted.

The points looked destined to be shared until Rogic intervened three minutes into added time with a superb strike, beating Alam to his left with a blistering effort from distance.

 

Source : AFC Asian Football Confederation WEBSITE

Socceroos overcome Syria to reach AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ knockout rounds

Needing only a draw to progress from Group B, a dangerous-looking Australia secured all three points from an entertaining affair thanks to Tom Rogic’s thumping strike in the 93rd minute.

Omar Khrbin and Omar Al Soma had earlier erased goals from Awer Mabil and Chris Ikonomidis but Graham Arnold’s men maintained their composure when it mattered most to join Jordan in the next phase.

Syria settled quickly into a match tinged with nerves and might have gone ahead through Khrbin, who dragged a low effort past the far post in the 13th minute.

Jamie Maclaren, a threat throughout an action-packed first half, also passed up an opportunity to break the deadlock when he nodded wide from Rhyan Grant’s excellent cross.

The Hibernian striker then forced Ibrahim Alma into a sharp double save but the goalkeeper was given no chance by Mabil’s brilliant left-footed curler in the 41st minute, the attacker’s fourth international goal his most memorable yet.

Khrbin, though, ensured the celebrations lasted just two minutes, poking home at the second attempt after Mat Ryan parried his initial close-range header.

Arnold rallied his troops at half-time and they were back in the ascendency in the 54th minute as the influential Rogic guided a superb pass to the far post for Ikonomidis to squeeze over the line.

Apostolos Giannou replaced Maclaren with just over 20 minutes and went within inches of extending the margin, taking Mabil’s pass in his path and lashing a fine low shot into the base of the bottom-left post.

Australia were in full control until the referee awarded a penalty which Al Soma converted 10 minutes from time.

That set up a grandstand finish and, having navigated their way through the odd anxious moment, Rogic rewarded a determined display by driving the winner through a crowded penalty area.

The Socceroos’ Round of 16 opponents will be the Group F runner-up, which will be determined when Japan and Uzbekistan square off in the early hours of Friday morning.

 

Source : AFC Asian Football Confederation WEBSITE

#AFCAsianCup2019 Omar Al Soma: We can challenge any team

Sharjah: Prolific Syrian striker Omar Al Soma is full of confidence ahead of his first AFC Asian Cup, declaring his side capable of mixing it with any of the other 23 teams in the United Arab Emirates.

Alongside 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Khribin, the Al Ahli hitman helped Syria to within 180 minutes of a historic qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with only a narrow playoff defeat to Australia ending their campaign.

Speaking ahead of his side’s opening match against Palestine at Sharjah Stadium on Sunday, Al-Soma revealed his belief that his are capable of becoming a force in their first AFC Asian Cup since 2011.

“That was a big match (against Australia), and everyone knows there are a lot of differences between then and now,” he told the-AFC.com. “We are convinced that we are a strong team, especially in terms of fitness, and we are convinced that we can play against any team in Asia.”

“Everyone knows who Omar Khribin is, and he won the AFC Player of the Year in 2017. Everyone knows him, but all of our players will be very dangerous for other teams in this tournament.”

More than 100 goals at club level in less than four years have made Al Soma a household name in the Asian football world, but opportunities to shine on the international stage have been few and far between.

Now, set to appear in a Continental championship for the first time since the 2008 AFC U-19 Championship, the three-time Saudi Professional League top scorer is eager to impress.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s my first time in a such a tournament and it’s very special to be here in the Emirates, which is a country I like very much.”

“We have a lot of Syrian fans here and I’m really excited to begin the tournament and perform for your fans.”

The opening fixture against Palestine is the first of two West Asian ‘derbies’ against close neighbours, with a match against Jordan to follow in Al Ain on Thursday.

Al Soma acknowledges a high level of familiarity with his side’s early opponents, but believes Syria remains the strongest side of the trio.

“These countries (Palestine and Jordan) are very similar in terms of our style of play, in terms of our fighting spirit, but maybe we are a little bit better because we reached the World Cup qualification playoff,” he declared.

“They will certainly be very good matches and derby matches for our region.”

Meanwhile, Palestine captain and veteran defender Abdallatif Al Bahdari has declared his side will leave nothing behind in the pursuit of success in the United Arab Emirates.

The 34-year-old, who appeared in all three matches of Palestine’s winless debut on the Continental stage in Australia four years ago, spoke of his side’s desire to fulfill Palestinian ambitions.

“Participating in this tournament is a dream for every Asian player,” he said. “As the captain of the Palestinian team, I can tell you on behalf of my teammates – we will do our best to make our people around the world proud and raise the Palestinian flag high.

“We know the challenges we are facing and we tried to prepare ourselves as much as we can to deliver a great performance.”

Al Bahdari is admirer of Syria’s star attacking duo, but remains confident of producing a strong performance on opening day.

“Our brothers from Syria have some of the best players in Asia, who we all respect, such as Omar Al-Soma and Khrbin and we are prepared to deliver a great game with them.”

Source : AFC Asian Football Confederation Website

Tim Cahill scores twice as Caltex Socceroos defeat Syria after extra time epic!

The Caltex Socceroos’ World Cup qualification quest continues after they defeated a brave Syria 2-1 in extra time of their second leg Asian Qualifier Playoff on Tuesday night in Sydney. 

After drawing their first leg match in Malaysia 1-1 Australia ensured they’d progress 3-2 on aggregate and now must wait and see who they face in their final qualification hurdle in November, when they’ll face the fourth-placed nation from the CONCACAF region in an inter-continental playoff.

STORY OF THE GAME

Australia began with Aaron Mooy on the bench, Tom Rogic in behind Tim Cahill who played in the centre forward role.

Syria stunned the Aussies with a classic counter attack goal in the opening five minutes before Australia hit back within minutes.

Mooy came on for the injured Brad Smith inside the first 10 minutes

The sides went to the break 1-1.

Syria brought on the mesmeric playmaker  Firas Mohamad Al Khatib on the hour mark, and he immediately had an impact but it was the Aussies who finished strongest in the final 20 minutes as Syria visibly fatigued.

Tom Rogic had three good chances for Australia but the Celtic star couldn’t quite find his range.

The tired visitors held on to push the game into extra time after regulation time ended 1-1.

Sub Nikita Rukavytsya had a golden chance to win the game in extra time first half but his close range effort was denied by keeper  Ibrahim Almeh.

Syria went down to 10 men after Mahmoud Al Maowas was red-carded as Syria tried to slow proceedings in an effort to hold out till the lottery of the shootout.

But with 10 minutes to go in extra time, Cahill scored his second to head home in trademark fashion.

But Syria could’ve gone through had Al Soma’s power free kick hit the base of the post two mins from time.

GOALS

Omar Al Soma, Syria 5’: 0-1

Syria made Australia pay for a cheap turnover in the centre of the park, driving forward drawing Sainsbury to the ball before releasing Al Soma and he stuck the ball high and past Ryan. Cue mayhem from the Syrian fans.

Tim Cahill, Australia 12’: 1-1

Leckie broke free down the Syrian left and his superb early cross found the head of Cahill in between the two central defenders and he did what he does. Score with his head.

Tim Cahill, Australia 109’: 2-1

Mooy with the clever ball to release Kruse down the right and his perfect cross found a leaping Cahill to power home for goal number 50 for Australia.

 

Source  :  Football Federation Australia