The home leg of Syria’s World Cup play-off against Australia has been confirmed for Malaysia next month after the UAE had been considered to stage the clash. The match, which will go some way to deciding who keeps alive their bid to reach Russia next summer, has to be played at a neutral venue given the political situation in Syria, with the Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka now chosen as host. The fixture will take place on October 5, with the return leg at Sydney’s Stadium Australia five days later. <strong>Highlights from game against Iran</strong> The Syrian Football Federation had investigated staging the first leg in Abu Dhabi but realised that, given the short time until the match, obtaining visas for players and staff would prove difficult. The federation informed the UAE Football Association of their decision. Syria have not hosted an international match on home soil since 2010, with all of their third-round home qualifiers played in Malaysia. Three of those came at the Hang Jebat Stadium, where Ayman Al Hakeem’s side defeated Uzbekistan and Qatar and drew with China. Syria booked their spot in the play-off in dramatic fashion last week, when Omar Al Somah's injury-time goal earned <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/world-cup-qualifiers-syria-claim-play-off-spot-after-draw-against-iran-1.625913">a 2-2 draw against already-qualified Iran in the final match of Group A</a>. The point meant Syria finished third in the standings, and will therefore meet Australia, the third-placed team from Group B. <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/world-cup-qualifiers-depleted-uae-ran-out-of-steam-and-ideas-against-iraq-1.625930">That pool included the UAE, who finished fourth.</a> <strong>Also read:</strong> <strong>Ian Hawkey:</strong> <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/syria-s-show-of-unity-drives-improbable-world-cup-dream-amid-ongoing-political-turmoil-1.626143">Syria's show of unity drives improbable World Cup dream</a> The winner of the Asian play-off will then face the fourth-placed team from the Concacaf qualification across two legs in November for a place at the World Cup. Ranked 80th in the world by Fifa, Syria are attempting to make the global finals for the first time in their history. Asian champions Australia, the continent’s third-highest ranked team at No 45, are seeking a fourth successive appearance.
