Why is Syria vs Australia being played in Malaysia? Did war-torn nation choose to host World Cup qualifiers in Southeast Asia?
Syria have stunned world football by reaching the World Cup qualifying play-off despite playing 4500 miles away from home
AUSTRALIA face an away trip to Syria in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off.
But you would be forgiven for thinking the Socceroos were the home team, with the match being played on their doorstep in Malaysia.
Why are Syria playing in Malaysia?
Syria have not played a match in their own country since 2010, and very nearly failed to find a venue for their home qualifiers altogether.
The country's football team were just an hour away from being thrown out of World Cup qualifying altogether due to a lack of friendly countries being willing to host them.
Virtually every nation in the Middle East capable of holding Syria home games had given its support to the rebels in the country's civil war and broken off diplomatic relations with the Assad government.
Eventually, Malaysia stepped in at the last minute to host the Syria's home matches after Macau pulled out.
Despite playing all their third round games in Malaysia, the Syrian FA were keen to move their home match against Australia to the Middle East.
But the Asian Football Confederation eventually ran out of patience with Syria's attempts to move the match to Qatar or the United Arab Emirates and ordered it to be played in Malaysia.
