Australia emerged victorious in extra-time, beating Syria 2-1, ending the World Cup hopes of the war-torn nation, who initially took the lead in the return leg and came so close to equalizing in the added time of extra-time, but were cruelly denied by the woodwork. The Australians will no face the team who finishes fourth in the CONACAF qualifying group to see who will qualify for Russia 2018.
A disappointing Australia side booked their place in the inter-continental play-off with the fourth-ranked North and Central American side after beating one of the surprise teams from the qualifying stages. A Syrian side which found a late equaliser in the first leg (1-1) soon took the lead in Australia with a goal from Al Somah which surprised the football world.
The Syrian fans started to dream, but their dreams were short-lived as just seven minutes later, veteran striker Tim Cahill levelled the scores with a trademark header.
The rest of the 90 minutes had a similar pattern, with Australia dominating possession but failing to make the dominance count, and Syria waiting for a counter-attacking opportunity which never arose.
With no more goals the game went into extra-time, where, in the second-half, Cahill delivered for the second time to save his country, once again with a header. The 38-year-old, just 5ft 8in, ensured his country, one step closer to the World Cup. The 'Socceroos' deserved the result because of their perseverance, but the quality of lacking throughout.
In added time of extra-time, Syria were inches away from securing their place in the play-off. Al Somah launched a free-kick which beat Mathew Ryan in the Australia goal, but struck the post and flew away from goal.
Australia will now face a final two-legged play-off with whoever finishes in fourth place in the CONACAF qualification group, which will be determined in the early hours of tomorrow morning.