SYRIA KEEP 2018 HOPES ON TRACK

SYRIA’S bid to reach the World Cup finals remains on track after they drew 1-1 with Australia in the first leg of their play-off. They extended their unbeaten ‘home’ record in Malaysia to seven matches with an 85thminute penalty by Omar Al Soma after Robbie Kruse put Australia ahead. The second leg is in Sydney on Tuesday and the winners will earn a final play-off against the fourth-placed team in the USA’s group.