SYDNEY -- Three quick thoughts on Australia 2-1 Syria (Australia through 3-2 on aggregate) in the second leg of the Asian playoff in World Cup qualifying.
1. Brave Syria's dream ended by Australia
Australia edged out Syria in their World Cup qualification clash, winning passage through to an inter-continental showdown with the fourth-placed CONCACAF side --- likely to be Panama or Honduras, with the United States still a possibility.
Syria surprised many when they saw off Uzbekistan and China to claim a place in the fourth round of 2018 World Cup qualification but their fairytale run was brought to an end in the cruellest fashion, with Australia claiming a nervy and scrappy home victory.