Despite the Australians taking the game to the Syrians, it was the visitors who drew first blood when a mistake by Mark Milligan in midfield was cruelly punished by Syria's Omar Al Soma who riffled the ball past a helpless Matty Ryan and into the roof of net.
The Socceroos continued to make in roads into the stubborn Syrian defence and eventually the break through came courtesy of a Matthew Leckie cross, which was met by a grateful Tim Cahill who left the shattered Syrian goalkeeper to pick up the ball from his net as he span away in celebration.
The match ended 1-1 in regular time and shortly after the start of extra time, the Socceroos work was made easier after Syria's Mahmoud Al Maowas was given his matching orders after collecting a second yellow card.
The match was finally settled in the second half of extra time courtesy of Tim Cahill's second goal in the 106th minute. Australia and Syrias hopes lay at the feet of Omar Al Soma in the 120th minute of the match as he lined up to take a free kick he'd just won.
The equation was simple, score and Syria goes through miss and Australia match on to the next phase. As millions watching the match sought devine intervention, Omar Al Soma crashed his freekick against the upright to the relief of millions of Australians, as his compatriots began imagining how different things could have been had luck smiled on them.
Australia is through to the next round, where they'll have to wrestle either Panama or Honduras for the world cup spot in the next round.
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