Albion keeper Mathew Ryan's hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Russia next summer with Australia are still intact.

He helped his country to a dramatic 2-1 win after-extra-time in this morning's qualifying play-off against war-torn Syria in Sydney.

Former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill was the hero with both goals after Omar Al Somah beat Ryan early on to open the scoring for Syria.

The same player struck a post with a last-gasp free-kick from 25 yards, which would have sent Syria through on away goals after last week's 1-1 draw in the first leg in Malaysia.

Ryan and his team-mates now face the fourth placed team from CONCACAF qualifying, completed in the early hours of Wednesday morning and expected to rest between Panama and Honduras.