![Syrian football fans watch in Damascus the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Iran and Syria, played in Iran, on September 5, 2017.
The 2-2 draw was enough to give Syria third place in Group A and a spot in the Asian play-offs against either Australia or Saudi Arabia, who face Japan later in Group B. / AFP PHOTO / LOUAI BESHARA](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BX7YALQJS4JKKGMEIKQ4WQNABQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=2dd8a8e137e02cbcaadea4fa15d8693f25e56c21d832d9d24cfb28b7b37b283a&width=400&height=225)
Syrian football fans in Damascus watch as the national team secured an unlikely World Cup play-off in September 2017. AFP
Syrian football fans in Damascus watch as the national team secured an unlikely World Cup play-off in September 2017. AFP
Asian Cup 2019: Syria vs Palestine emerges as the hottest ticket
Huge expat communities of Syrians and Palestinians look to make the game a sell-out
Daniel Sanderson
05 January, 2019