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Syria’s World Cup hopes end in extra-time loss to Australia

Syria's Omar Al Somah, left, jumps up after scoring against Australia during their Soccer World Cup qualifying match in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Syria's Omar Al Somah, left, jumps up after scoring against Australia during their Soccer World Cup qualifying match in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Syria's Omar Al Somah, left, jumps up after scoring against Australia during their Soccer World Cup qualifying match in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

By Associated Press 1 min read

SYDNEY (AP) – War-torn Syria’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time have ended in a 2-1 extra-time loss to an Australia.

Tim Cahill again delivered for his country with two headed goals in a comeback win in an Asian playoff on Tuesday that ended moments after Omar al-Soma hit the post with a free kick that could have earned Syria a spot in the final stage of qualifying.

The Syrians were so close to securing a spot in Russia after salvaging a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week at their adopted home ground in Malaysia and taking a 1-0 lead in the return match in Sydney, but Cahill’s goals in the 13th minute and in extra time secured Australia’s place in a playoff next month against the fourth-place team from North and Central America.