T. Rogić has scored a goal for Australia! Assist by C. Ikonomidis.
Ikonomidis teed up Rogic and the Syrian defenders could not get out fast enough. They lie broken on the turf as Australia celebrate.
GOAL!! That's the goal that's going to knock Syria out! Australia win it through Rogic! He has time and space on the edge of the area to drill into the net. The Socceroos make it 3-2 right at the last.
90' +1
M. Jurman enters the game and replaces M. Luongo.
SUB: Matthew Jurman is on to help protect Australia's lead. Luongo makes way.
90'
One goal changes everything here, but Syria, having played so well throughout, are now seeing their tired legs send crosses wayward. Australia might just hang on.
87'
Syria are winning corner after corner, but they are struggling to trouble Ryan. The Australia defenders are battling bravely. And Tamer Hag Mohamad becomes the latest Syria man to arrow wide.
86'
Another attempted delivery drops to Youssef on the edge of the Australia area, but he thunders a volley well wide.
85'
Syria are certainly pushing and Australia are hanging on. The Socceroos just about deal with a series of crosses.
83'
Zahir Al Midani enters the game and replaces Khaled Mobayed.
SUB: Syria make another change. Khaled Al Mbayed is off, Mohamad Zaher Almedani is on. Can they get the winner?
82'
R. Kruse enters the game and replaces A. Mabil.
SUB: Mabil scored the brilliant opener, but he now makes way for Robbie Kruse.
80'
Penalty goal scored by Omar Al Somah for Syria!
GOAL!! Syria are level again! 2-2! Al Soma sends Ryan the wrong way from the spot before hurriedly collecting the ball from the net. They will push for a winner now...
Minute
Description
79'
SAVE! Another good stop from Ryan! Milligan concedes a free-kick on the edge of the area after another needless foul. The free-kick is curled over the wall, but the goalkeeper gets across.
74'
Abd Al Malek Anezan enters the game and replaces Hussein Al Jwayed.
SUB: Another Syria switch. Hussein Al Jwayed goes off for Abdul Malek Anezan.
72'
Fahd Youssef enters the game and replaces Mohammed Osman.
The offside flag denies Rogic! He plays a neat one-two with Mabil but strays offside, before rounding Alma and sliding into the net.
SUB: Osman has been influential for Syria, but he comes off to be replaced by Fahad Youssef.
71'
If Syria get back into this one, Australia will rue only taking a one-goal lead into the final 20 minutes. THey have had several opportunities to break in the second half and haven't made the most of them.
70'
Australia really should make more of this opportunity! Giannou holds the ball up well, then combines with Ikonomidis, Mabil and finally Rogic. The latter directs a poor bouncing strike straight at the goalkeeper.
68'
A. Giannou enters the game and replaces J. Maclaren.
SUB: Maclaren's last involvement is an offside call and he is replaced by Apostolis Giannou.
So wasteful from Mouaiad Al Ajaan, who slices over the top from distance when Syria were making good progress down the left.
66'
Maclaren is just offside as he runs through on goal, but Alma makes the save anyway. Syria look to have run out of ideas for the timebeing.
64'
This game is so very open, with each team counter-attacking on the other. Palestine are holding Jordan elsewhere, meanwhile, which means Syria are currently heading out, bottom of the group.
62'
M. Luongo gets yellow.
YELLOW: Massimo Luongo wipes out his man and this game is really hotting up. The midfielder goes into the book.
59'
Mahmoud Al Mawas gets yellow.
YELLOW: Syria are not happy with how this game is panning out in the second half. They did not agree with the goal-line call moments ago and now protest a yellow card for Mahmoud Al Mawas.
54'
C. Ikonomidis has scored a goal for Australia! Assist by T. Rogić.
GOAL!! It's incredible scrappy, but Ikonomidis and the Socceroos will not care! Australia lead 2-1! Ikonomidis reaches a cross that passes through the area unchallenged and nudges the ball under the goalkeeper. A recovering defender claims to have hacked clear on the goal-line, but the goal is given.
It was Tom Rogic who picked out Ikonomidis, his cross causing all sorts of problems. In-swinging from the right, the Syria defence simply failed to deal with it and left their goalkeeper badly exposed.
52'
Frustration for Syria as Osman is caught offside after another poor Ryan clearance. Australia have struggled when pressed in this one.
49'
Milligan has been very shaky at the back for Australia, but he gets away with a pass across the face of his own goal and starts an attack. It comes to nothing this time, though.
48'
Australia are starting the second half strongly, perhaps keen to put a poor first half behind them, but Mabil wastes an early free-kick, firing a long way over the crossbar.
46'
KICK-OFF: We are back under way for the second half. Syria need a goal!
45' +2
HALF-TIME: Australia 1 Syria 1
45' +1
There will be at least one minute of additional time at the end of an enthralling first half.
43'
Omar Khrbin has scored a goal for Syria!
GOAL!! What a response! Khrbin fires Syria level at 1-1! Syria were straight back on the attack and a cross from the left picked out the forward. An initial header was blocked by Ryan, but Khrbin was on hand to smash home the rebound.
41'
A. Mabil has scored a goal for Australia! Assist by C. Ikonomidis.
Ikonomidis collects the assist for Australia, but Mabil had a great deal still left to do as he found the net from 20 yards.
GOAL!! Australia lead and it's a brilliant effort from Awer Mabil! 1-0 to the Socceroos! Mabil cuts in from the right and curls a left-footed strike into the far top corner. A blow for Syria.
40'
A scramble in the Syria area! A volley across goal is turned away, though, and Alma can push his men out.
39'
This is a much better spel from Australia and they almost get in down the left. All they can muster is a blocked cross in the end, but they have responded well to a scare at the other end.
36'
DOUBLE-SAVE! Brilliant from Alma! He keeps Syria level! Maclaren runs through on the right side of the area and shoots low to the goalkeeper's left, but Alma is there to save. He springs up again and blocks Maclaren's follow-up.
35'
A comfortable stop for Ibrahim Alma. Chris Ikonomidis drives forward, but his powerful strike is straight at the goalkeeper.
34'
Only victory would assure Syria of a place in the last 16, but they are the side making all of the running in recent minutes. Australia are enjoying a welcome spell of possession, though.
32'
Milligan takes his time to get back to his feet and Australia can breathe again. This has been a tough test for the Socceroos so far.
28'
Syria almost pounce on an error at the back from Milligan, with Osman running through, but the Australia captain gets back to foul his man and stop the attack.
22'
What a chance for Jamie Maclaren! He gets on the end of Rhyan Grant's cross from the right, but heads wide!
19'
More good play from Syria and they want a penalty! Mark Milligan tangles with Al Soma in the area, but the referee is not interested.
18'
Syria have made a bright start, undoubtedly looking the livelier of the two teams early.
14'
Good effort! Omar Khrbin drags a shot wide from an angle for Syria, who look dangerous in the opening stages.
13'
Syria are pushing hard early on. Mohammed Osman crosses to Omar Al Soma, but he heads over the top.
10'
Coming off a 3-0 win over Palestine, this isn't the kind of start Australia would've been hoping for. They are under the pump in Al Ain.
6'
The Socceroos are being pushed back as Syria search for an early goal.
1'
KICK-OFF: This Group B encounter between Australia and Syria is under way!
Welcome to Al Ain for the crucial Group B clash between Australia and Syria at the Asian Cup.
Jordan are already through from this group, but it's all to play for as defending champions Australia (three points) and Syria (one) try to reach the last 16.
Syria: Alma, Al Salih, Al Jwayed, Ajan, Al Midani, Haj Mohamad, Al Mawas, Mobayed, Osman, Khrbin, Al Somah.
This scoreline suits Australia as it stands, but they have certainly been worked hard by Syria in the first half. Khrbin quickly cancelled out Mabil's opener and it's all square.
A draw will take Australia through, while Syria progress with a win. Whichever side fails to pick up the required result to reach the next stage automatically will face a nervy wait to see if they are among the best ranked third-placed sides.
Australia go through, Syria go home. It's heartbreak for the latter side, who may have required more than a draw anyway but are certainly now out at the bottom of the group. Mabil, Ikonomidis and Rogic got the goals that secured the Socceroos' progression in the end.
The Socceroos have plenty of work to do if they are going to go all the way in this tournament. They are into the last 16 but will soon face less forgiving opponents. They were outplayed for long spells in this one.
That's all for today. Thanks for joining us and, until next time, goodbye!
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