Enemy territory, a dodgy referee and an overly physical game aside, Socceroos in pole position

IT wasn’t quite Aleppo Stadium but it was still enemy territory for the Socceroos. They were tested, physically and victims of dodgy referee calls, but all in all they passed the test.

Syrians react as they watch a live broadcast of the first leg of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifier football match between Syria and Australia in Damascus' Umayyad Square on October 5, 2017. Syria drew with Australia 1-1. / AFP PHOTO / LOUAI BESHARA

IT wasn’t quite Aleppo Stadium, Syria’s home of soccer, but it was still enemy territory for the Socceroos.

The bulk of 4,000 fans were fanatical Syrian fans, translating to an atmosphere akin to a 30,000 crowd and that rubbed off on the players who were representing their people 7,500 kilometres away.

The Socceroos were tested, especially at the tail-end of the first half when some dodgy referee calls, overt physicality and Mark Milligan was twice chopped down.

They kept composed and scored moments after the big test, via a killer passage finished off by in-form German-based duo Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse.

A dubious late penalty call gifted Syria an equaliser, though it wasn’t undeserved as they created good chances, thwarted by Mat Ryan.

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Khaled Almbayed of Syria (2L) and Mathew Leckie of Australia (C) fight for the ball during

It was a fine balancing act for the Socceroos, who kept their heads in hostile territory but gave as good as they got physically.

This was a key part of the pre-game messaging, with Ange Postecoglou playing down the suggestion that Syria had more to play for in light of their country’s civil war, which is seven years old and counting, in his media appearances.

Far from being disrespectful, Postecoglou was conscious of not underplaying the significance that comes with wearing the Socceroos shirt.

He used it as part of a thundering pre-game address, as Postecoglou reminded the players what it meant to wear the Socceroos shirt during an emotional rev-up.

Australian players talk to referee Alireza Faghani about a controversial penalty

It ensured that the physical edge a typically rough and intimidating Syria may have was nullified at Hang Jebat Stadium.

“We were disappointed with the way the game finished, we were in control of the game until the 60 minute mark then it got a bit chaotic,’’ Postecoglou said.

Syrian players threw themselves at everything, but the Socceroos remained cool and played in tough, humid conditions on a bobbling pitch.

Postecoglou said his first XI was specifically designed to do a job at the cavernous Hang Jebat Stadium, and they almost did.

Football Federation Australia are within their rights to ask questions about Iranian referee Alireza Faghani’s late decision.

The Socceroos passed their first test, and they remain in pole position for Tuesday’s return leg at ANZ Stadium.

Originally published as Enemy territory, a dodgy referee and an overly physical game aside, Socceroos in pole position