The Azadi Stadium in Tehran holds brilliant memories for Irish fans. It was there, the side qualified for the 2002 World Cup. On Tuesday afternoon in the same stadium, Syria kept their unlikely World Cup hopes with a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 against the Asian giants.
Ranked 80th in the world, Syria have never qualified for the World Cup. They were disqualified from qualification for fielding an ineligible player.
The war-torn country has been united behind their team in recent months. The Syrian national team have had to play all their home matches in Malaysia, due to the troubles in their homeland.
Needing at least a draw to keep their hopes of qualification alive, striker Omar Al Somah scored the all-important goal, eliminating Uzbekistan in the process.
The goal led to joyous scenes on and off the pitch, from the Syrian players, staff and fans.
They still have a maximum of four games to play, before the team can book their flights to Russia.
Syria will now play in a two-legged play-off against Australia next month. If they are to win that tie, the Syrians will play a further two-legged tie against a CONCACAF side. It looks likely that tie will be against one of the United States, Honduras or Panama.
Whatever happens, Syria's football team have been one of the feelgood stories of 2017.
