War-torn Syria keep historic football dream alive after draw with Iran

Finishing third in its group means Syria now faces a home and away series next month against Australia.

If it eventually emerges as the winner, it would enter an intercontinental playoff in November.

It took a 93rd-minute goal in Tehran to secure a 2-2 tie with Iran, one of two nations whose support has enabled forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad to gain an upper hand in the country’s six-year conflict.

Syrian football fans watch in Damascus the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Iran and Syria, played in Iran. (Photo:  LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Qualification would be a striking achievement for a squad that can’t play at home due to the war and whose members are vetted by the government. Associated Press reported that while the national team is made up of government-approved supporters, at least one player – striker Firas al-Khatib – was an opposition activist during a period of exile.

Here it is. Syria's Omar al Somah scores in the 93rd minute in Tehran to put Syria through to World Cup qualifier playoff. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/AmRoBBztUV

— Samuel Oakford (@samueloakford) September 5, 2017

And in another twist, Assad’s other key supporter in a conflict that’s left about 400,000 people dead is Russia – host of next year’s competition.

“This dream will certainly come true and we will reach the World Cup,” said one man interviewed by Syrian television in Latakia, a western Assad stronghold, before Tuesday’s match.

Twitter users shared pictures of the squad using an Arabic hashtag which translates as #Yes_We_Can.

Syria has played its “home” qualification games in Malaysia, a blow for Assad who’s attempting to portray life in territory controlled by his government as returning toward normalcy. Damascus last month hosted its first international trade fair in five years.

A supporter of Syria’s national team attends the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Syria and Iran at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran on September 5, 2017. (Photo: ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images)