Syria's questionable spot-kick against Socceroos "Trips over own player." After twice being on the wrong end of close calls, Syria was on the right end of a questionable penalty decision during their 3-2 loss to the Socceroos on Wednesday morning (AEDT). Trailing Australia 2-1, Syria were awarded a spot-kick in the 78th minute for an apparent foul on Omar Al Somah in the box. Eventual replays however showed two Syrian players seemingly tripped over one another, rather than a Socceroo making any illegal contact. — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) January 15, 2019 — Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) January 15, 2019 — Matthew Galea (@mg91) January 15, 2019 Al Somah would convert the controversial spot-kick he won to pull Syria level - only for Tom Rogic to break their hearts with an injury-time winner. Luck had been against Syria for much of the match with the Socceroos second goal ruled to have crossed the goal-line despite the lack of conclusive replays. Article continues below While Syria should have earned a penalty just after the hour mark with Mark Milligan clearly committing a handball inside the box. — Adam Peacock (@adampeacock3) January 15, 2019 In the end, they would get their slice of fortune but fail to make the most of it with the 3-2 loss ensuring their Asian Cup campaign has come to an end. Both penalty decisions were made without the use of the VAR - a system that won't be used in the UAE until the quarter-finals.<doc-sep>Australia v Syria: TV channel, live stream, squad, Socceroos news & Asian Cup preview A decisive match in Group C awaits The Socceroos will be out to secure second spot in Group B when they face Syria at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday morning (12.30am AEDT). Australia got their Asian Cup defence back on track against Palestine with a 3-0 win having lost their group opener against Jordan 1-0. Syria are yet to score in the UAE but can still escape the group in second with a win after being held to a goalless draw with Palestine and falling 2-0 to Jordan. Game Australia vs Syria Date Wedneday, January 16 AEDT Time 12.30am AEDT / 8.00pm LOCAL TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch In Australia, the match can be watched live on Fox Sports through the Foxtel platform. There is no free-to-air broadcaster. You can stream the game through either the Foxtel Go, Foxtel Play and Kayo - just bear in mind those services are subscription based. AUS TV channel Online stream Fox Sports Foxtel GO/Foxtel Play/Kayo/My Football Live Squads & Team News Position Australia players Goalkeepers Ryan, Vukovic, Langerak Defenders Sainsbury, Behich, Gersbach, Jurman, Milligan, Risdon, Degenek, Grant Midfielders Luongo, Jeggo, Amini, Irvine, Mabil, Rogic Forwards Leckie, Giannou, Nabbout, Maclaren, Kruse, Ikonomidis After picking up his second yellow card of the tournament against Palestine, Trent Sainsbury has been suspended from this clash. In his absence, Socceroos skipper Mark Milligan is expected to slot into defence with Massimo Luongo brought into start in midfield. Tom Rogic faces suspension should he pick up another yellow and with a broken bone in his hand could be rested or given reduced game time against Palestine. Though ending his scoring drought against Palestine, Jamie Maclaren could be replaced up top by a fit-again Andrew Nabbout - who does appear to best fit Graham Arnold's system. Socceroos predicted XI: Ryan (GK); Behich, Degenek, Milligan, Grant; Luongo, Irvine; Ikonomidis, Rogic, Mabil; Nabbout. Position Syria players Goalkeepers Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al-Youssef, Ahmad Madania Defenders Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anizan Midfielders Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef Forwards Omar Kharbin, Omar Al Soma (c), Mardik Mardikian Syria are without their usual skipper and veteran Firas al-Khatib in the UAE after he was ruled out of the tournament through injury. Wearing the captain armband in his place is Omar Al Soma with Omar Kharbin's 16 goals from 37 caps making him the most likely attacking outlet for Syria. Their star player is argubaly Mohammad Osman, who plays for Eredivisie side Heracles, but he is yet to truly make his make for the national team. Syria predicted XI: Alma; Anizan, Al Baour, Al Salih, Ajan; Youssef, Haj Mohamad, Osman, Khribin; Mardikian, Al Soma. Betting & Match Odds Australia are strong favourites in this with a win valued at $1.44 , draw at $4 and Syria victory at $8.50 . With Syria yet to score at this tournament, the most likely result is a 1-0 win to the Socceroos going at odds of $6 . All odds courtesy of Bet365 and correct at the time of publishing. Match Preview Just 15 months ago, the Socceroos saw off Syria 2-1 in extra-time as they went on to seal their spot at the 2018 World Cup. A Tim Cahill header proved the difference on that occasion as a spirited Syria side hit the post at the death and had their dreams of a first World Cup appearance shattered. Revenge could therefore be on their minds when they tackle Australia at the Asian Cup with a win enough for Syria to seal second spot in Group B and leave the Socceroos in limbo. Though their spirit will once again be on full display, Syria have been out of form and are yet to score in the UAE after a 0-0 draw with Palestine and 2-0 loss to Jordan. Winning just three of their last 12 games, The Assyrians must step up soon or find themselves sent packing. The Socceroos started their title defence on shaky feet in a 1-0 loss to Jordan, but bounced back emphatically in a 3-0 win over Palestine. Article continues below Introducing Chris Ikonomidis and Jackson Irvine to the starting side paid immediate dividends for Graham Arnold and he'll be hoping to settle on his strongest side ahead of the knockout stages. A win or draw will be enough for the Socceroos to seal second spot in Group B but don't rule out Syria throwing a spanner in the works should they strike early against an Australian side that have already shown signs of vulnerability.<doc-sep>
Here are the five things we learned from Australia's win over Syria. The Socceroos secured progression to the knockout stages of the Asian Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Syria. Here are the five things we can take away from last night’s victory in Al Ain! SOCCEROOS NEWS WRAP: ROOS RIVALS’ UNBEATEN RECORD, AUSSIES ADVANCE ‘AN ABSOLUTE JOKE’: SOCCEROOS COP ‘DISGRACEFUL’ PENALTY GAFFE PLAYER RATINGS: SOCCEROOS STAR’S STUNNING RESPONSE TO CRITICS BURNING QUESTIONS: ARNIE’S MIDFIELD DILEMMA, BIG STRIKER CALL LOOMS MACLAREN IS NOW AUSTRALIA’S MAIN GOALSCORER Andrew Nabbout’s recurrence of a groin injury means he’s in doubt to play any part in Australia’s Asian Cup defence. His woes mean Jamie Maclaren, who was unlucky not to score against Syria, is now the Socceroos’ key attacking weapon. MABIL IS A GENUINE SUPERSTAR With the departure of record goalscorer Tim Cahill, are we seeing another emerge in the form of South Sudanese refugee Awer Mabil. The 23-year-old scored a left- footed beauty to opening the scoring and now has four goals in seven appearances for his country. He’s exciting, dynamic and a real talent. Australia have a gem of a player there. AUSTRALIA’S MENTAL RESILIENCE GOT THEM THROUGH The controversial penalty which allowed Syria to level the match 2-2 sparked an intense final 10 minutes. As the Syrians poured forward in search of a winner, their fans turned the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium into a cauldron. Graham Arnold’s men didn’t buckle and were always a threat on the counter. COULD THIS BE THE MAKING OF TOM ROGIC There’s no doubt Tom Rogic is an Australian football superstar but there’s always been a feeling he saves his best performances for Scottish Premiership club Celtic. He was huge against Syria however, often playing clever balls in behind the Syrian defence for Maclaren, Mabil and Ikonomidis to run on to. His 93rd-minute winner was a great strike in the circumstances and Graham Arnold will be hoping his former Central Coast Mariners prodigy is ready to shine in the tournament. THINGS ONLY GET TOUGHER FOR THE SOCCEROOS Syria were Australia’s toughest hurdle so far, fired up by the off-field dramas in the past week and with a team that was better than their first two performances suggested. It doesn’t get any easier, however, with either an impressive Uzbekistan team under the tutelage of veteran coach Hector Cuper or Asian nemesis Japan next up at the same venue in six days’ time.