Syria’s U-19 team miss a chance to seal a place in knock out phase

Syria and Australia missed the chance to seal their place in the knockout phase of the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship after the two played out a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

With Syria having swept aside Saudi Arabia 5-1 and the Young Socceroos having edged Qatar 1-0 a second Group D victory for either side would have secured at least second in the table and with it a place in the quarter-finals.

After a goalless first-half Mahmoud Al Mawas broke the deadlock in the 76th minute but the midfielder’s fourth of the tournament was not enough to give the Syrian side all three points, with Corey Gameiro earning the Young Socceroos a share of the spoils with nine minutes remaining.

Syria started the stronger of the two and almost took a third minute lead when Omar Kharbin’s long-range shot rattled the crossbar before Australia keeper Paul Izzo was on hand to save Mouaiad Al Ajaan’s 17th minute shot from just outside the area.

The Syrian side dominated the opening exchanges and Australia didn’t really threaten until the 35th minute when Syria keeper Shaher Al Shakir was called into action to deny Gameiro’s effort from the left side of the area.

The second half started with a slow tempo with both sides cautious of losing the match and the first attempt on goal not coming till the hour mark when Izzo denied Adnan Al Taki before a poor final touch with only the keeper to beat saw Adam Taggart squander a 68th minute opportunity for Australia.

The opening goal finally came with little over quarter-of-an-hour left to play when Al Mawas controlled a long pass and beat Izzo for his fourth goal of the campaign, which took him joint-top of the scoring charts alongside Uzbekistan’s Igor Sergeev.

But it was not enough to give Syria their second win as Gameiro fired home an 81st minute equaliser at the near post following Ryan Williams’ cross from the right.