Socceroos vs Syria live result, highlights as Irvine leads Australia to Asian Cup win

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Patrick Brischetto
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The Socceroos have secured qualification for the Asian Cup Round of 16 after a 1-0 win over a spirited Syria side.

Jackson Irvine's second goal of the tournament on the hour mark was all Graham Arnold's side needed to secure the three points, though it was hardly an inspiring performance from his side as they once again struggled to create clearcut opportunities against a well-organised defence.

Australia had lots of the ball to begin with, but it was Syria who had the best chance of the first half as striker Pablo Sabbag hit the post with a fierce drive at the near post, while Australia's best chance came from an Irvine shot from a corner.

The Socceroos never looked like creating chances outside of set pieces and crossing situations, and Arnold went to the bench to change the game, and minutes after a triple change Australia broke the deadlock after great work from Martin Boyle to get the ball into the box, before it fell to the feet of Irvine who swivelled and finished past Syrian keeper Ahmad Madaina.

Both sides had half chances as Syria pushed forward for an equaliser and the game opened up, but neither were able to truly test either keeper properly. In the end, Australia held on for a win that leaves them clear at the top of Group B and puts them in pole position to stay there.

Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+

Socceroos vs Syria live score

  Score Goal scorers
Australia 1 Irvine 60'
Syria 0 -

Socceroos vs Syria live updates, highlights, and commentary

FULL TIME

It was far from an inspiring performance from the Socceroos, where the flaws from the India game reared their heads again, but Jackson's Irvine's second goal of the tournament was enough for them to secure a 1-0 win over a spirited Syria side.

It's a win that has secured their spot in the Round of 16, and means they have taken full control of Group B, while Syria must beat India to have a chance of progressing.

90th minute: Irvine's dinked cross finds Silvera, but he is off balance and he volleys it over the bar. There will also be six minutes of added time to end this one.

85th minute: Silvera is booked for a strong foul on Ajan.

84th minute: Substitute Youssef fires a fierce long range shot at goal, but it is well wide.

83rd minute: Australia make their final change, as Martin Boyle comes off for Kusini Yengi.

78th minute: Syria make another change, as Ibrahim Hesar's game is done, and he is replaced by Antonio Yakoub. The Socceroos also make a change in the striking department, as Mitch Duke is replaced by Bruno Fornaroli.

68th minute: Almost calamitous from Mat Ryan! Ajan puts in a speculative shot that moves into the air, and the Australian shotstopper initially spills it before regathering. Nervous moment!

64th minute: In response to the goal, Hector Cuper makes two changes, with Pablo Sabbag and Mahmoud Al-Aswad leave the field for Omar Khribin and Fahad Youssef.

60th minute: GOAL FOR AUSTRALIA!!!!!! It wasn't pretty but they all count! Boyle breaks forward, before the ball falls to Irvine, and he twists and shoots past Madaina and into the goal. It's his second of the tournament, and a crucial goal for Australia.

57th minute: The aforementioned triple changes comes in, as McGree, Silvera and Baccus come on for Aiden O'Neill, Connor Metcalfe and Jordan Bos make way.

53rd minute: Changes incoming for Australia, with Riley McGree, Sam Silvera and Keanu Baccus preparing to enter the field.

46th minute: Back underway in Doha, no changes at half time for either side, but expect Graham Arnold to look towards the likes of Bruno Fornaroli and Riley McGree if the game remains goalless.

HALF TIME: The half time whistle has gone, and its been a disappointing first 45 minutes from Australia's point of view; they dominated possession but struggled to create good goalscoring opportunities. Syria created a couple of chances of their own, and Gabbag hit the post early on. A big pep talk and potentially some changes are needed from Graham Arnold at the break.

45th minute: There will be six minutes of added time.

44th minute: Another chance for Syria as they capitalise on lax defending from the Socceroos, but Sabbag chooses to shoot instead of laying it off to Ramadan, and he blazes it over.

39th minute: The Syrians work the ball to the left and Ammar Ramadan, he shoots at the near post, but it hits the side netting.

36th minute: Jones flicks on Boyle's corner, where it nearly finds Irvine at the back post, but he can't make contact.

27th minute: An odd situation as Aiden O'Neill wins a free-kick after a fould by Sabbag, but O'Neill catches the Syrian striker on the way through and receives the first yellow card of the match.

20th minute: Socceroos fans will be getting flashbacks to the India game on Saturday, there seems to be a critical lack of creativity in the midfield, which is stifling the Socceroos. Jordan Bos is looking lively down the left, but he needs support from the likes of Metcalfe and Irvine.

17th minute: Metcalfe floats in a dangerous free-kick to the back post, and it finds Irvine. He does well to get his head to the ball and make contact, but it goes just over the bar.

12th minute: As predicted, Australia having all of the ball to begin with, but Syria standing firm in the opening stanza.

9th minute: Australia's turn to have a big chance, a goalmouth scramble leads to Souttar getting a shot away, but it's deflected away from goal. a brief VAR check follows, but nothing comes of it.

5th minute: Syria hit the post! Sabbag cuts inside onto his left foot and fires a powerful shot at the near post, but it cannons off the woodwork and away. Syria's first real chance, and a scare for the Socceroos.

4th minute: Australia work their way down the left and put a ball into the box, Australia appeal for a handball, but the arm of Ousou's arm is tucked into his body and the refree waves the claims away.

KICKOFF: We are underway in Doha, can the Socceroos make it two out of two at the 2023 Asian Cup?

4 mins to kickoff: The anthems are done, the teams undergoing their final preparations before the match begins.

8 mins to kickoff: The teams are about to take the field, kickoff is not far away!

30 mins to kickoff: The Socceroos are in the building and getting ready for kickoff at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium!

1hr to kickoff: The Socceroos lineup is in, and three changes have been made! Jordan Bos' contribution off the bench in the opening match has been rewarded with a start in place of Craig Goodwin, whilst Cameron Burgess replaces Kye Rowles at centre-back, and Aiden O'Neill replaces Keanu Baccus in midfield. No start for Riley McGree or Bruno Fornaroli.

Socceroos confirmed lineup: Ryan (GK) — Behich, Burgess, Souttar, Jones — Metcalfe, O'Neill, Irvine — Bos, Duke, Boyle

Syria have also named their starting 11, and it is unchanged from their draw against Uzbekistan, with Ibrahim Hesar and Pablo Sabbag leading the line.

Syria confirmed starting lineup: Madriana (GK) — Weiss, Ousou, Krouma, Ajan — Al-Aswad, Elias, Ham, Ramadan — Sabbag, Hesar

1hr 30 mins hours to kickoff: The sides have met on a few occasion's in recent years, most notably in the fourth round of AFC World Cup Qualifiers in 2017. Despite being heavy favourites, the Socceroos were given an almighty scare in the second leg after falling behind early. Legendary Tim Cahill scored a double to put them in the lead, but Syria almost eliminated Australia with the last kick of the game when they hit the post from a free kick. Graham Arnold will be hoping for a much calmer gamer today...

2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Socceroos' second match at the Asian Cup, where they take on Syria at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium. The Socceroos were clunky going forward on matchday one against India, but were able to eventually get the job done, and Graham Arnold will be hoping for a more clinical and smooth performance this time around. Syria held a strong Uzbekistan side to a goalless draw in their opening clash, and they have caused Australia problems in the past, so expect a competitive and well fought tie in Thursday night Asian Cup action!

Socceroos vs Syria lineups, team news

The biggest positive from Australia’s win over India is that captain and first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan was able to start the match whilst wearing a protective mask as he continues to recover from a fractured cheekbone.

Gethin Thomas was solid on his international debut at right-back, whilst Bos may have played his way into a starting spot with his goal off the bench, as well as Australia’s attacking struggles against a low-block defence.

These struggles may also see Riley McGree - who got an assist on Saturday - enter the midfield in place of Keanu Baccus

Syria coach Hector Cuper has no injury or suspension concerns heading into the match, with Syria’s back four performing well against Uzbekistan; they will likely set up in a defensive shape and look to frustrate Australia in the same way India did.

How to watch Asian Cup: TV channel, live stream

Australia: Paramount+ will provide streaming services for the tournament and 10 Play will broadcast Australia's matches.

India: Streaming service FanCode is the place to go for AFC Asian Cup matches.

USA: AFC Asian Cup matches will be available for live streaming via Paramount+ and Fubo.

UK: Asian Cup matches will be shown on subscription streaming service TrillerTV.

Watch every match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 only on Paramount+
Author(s)
Patrick Brischetto Photo
Patrick Brischetto

Patrick is a freelance journalist who is currently based in Sydney, and primarily covers football for The Sporting News.