Socceroos v Syria, World Cup play-off: Ange Postecoglou has plenty in reserve to get job done in Sydney

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou saw enough from his side in their draw with a spirited Syria to believe them capable of finishing the job in Sydney.

Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for the shift his players put in in Malaysia.

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SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou remained steadfast in his belief that his players would complete the first of their World Cup playoff missions in Tuesday’s return leg against a spirited Syria.

Australia will relish a return to home soil after neutral Malaysian territory proved hostile, with a small but partisan crowd and a favourable late call helping Asia’s comeback kings secure a dramatic late 1-1 draw.

Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for the shift his players put in in Malaysia.

Ignorance continues to fuel Australian fans’ underestimation of Asian opponents — judging by social media at least — but Syria absolutely justified their third placing in the rival Asian group, with a savvy, skill-laden display.

Robbie Kruse put the Socceroos ahead on 40 minutes, glancing in a fine dribble and cross from Mathew Leckie just moments after withstanding a testy period.

Both sides were wasteful before the brilliant Mat Ryan was finally beaten from the spot after referee Alireza Faghani blew for a penalty when Omar Al Somah, who’d just returned from a five-year exile, crumbled under a legal Leckie challenge.

Tom Rogic was one of a host of players whose powder was kept dry for the second leg.

“We didn’t get the ideal result, but it was still a good result going back home,’’ Postecoglou said.

“You’re always disappointed, particularly when you concede like we did, they’re a bit flat. But they also worked awfully hard.’’

The more defensive-minded Josh Risdon deployed as right wing-back and he combined well with Leckie who was shifted into a central attacking role. Greater balance meant greater control as they withstood Syria’s physical pressure and ad hoc but dangerous waves of attacks.

Leckie and Kruse relished the pockets of space they had to run into behind the Syrian defence and combined for the opener after defender Milos Degenek started the attack.

Aaron Mooy dictated play during a strong first hour against the Syrians.

Aaron Mooy dictated the tempo, protected by captain Mark Milligan, while the back three took more risks in carrying the ball, with Matt Jurman composed on debut.

The Socceroos tired in the hot, humid Melaka conditions, while Syria threw everything at them but Postecoglou was confident that would change at ANZ Stadium.

“They (Syria) have got to score a goal and got to open up a little bit at some point and we’ll make sure we take advantage of that,’’ he said.

“We’ve got some players who didn’t play tonight who are in good form and good condition, we made some changes to the 11, because when we’re at home we want to attack aggressively.

“We’ve got some fresh legs. We’ve got (Tom) Rogic, Jimmy Troisi, Mass Luongo, Jackson (Irvine), (Brad Smith), (Craig) Goodwin. Even Nikita (Rukavytsya) and Rogic just came on for a bit tonight.

“They can really put some energy into the game. We want to play a really high tempo, which we can at home, which we always do. Really go at them and test them.’’