- AMMAN, Jordan: A late strike from Syria’s Raja Rafe helped Syria secure a 2-1 win against Tajikistan in the first leg of their World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Syria’s George Murad opened the scoring in the last minute of the first half after the home side had dominated for much of the first 40 minutes.
But Tajikistan’s Kamil Saidov leveled the score in the 48th minute before Rafe’s powerful shot in the 77th gave the Syrians the victory.
Syria was forced to play its home match in Jordan after FIFA determined that ongoing political protests in the country made it too dangerous to play a World Cup qualifier.
The return leg is Thursday in Tajikistan.