Updated January 16, 2019 03:20:28

Photo: Awer Mabil gave the Socceroos the lead with a stunning left foot goal. (AP: Hassan Ammar)

Australia have secured their spot in the Asian Cup knockout rounds with a wonder strike by Tom Rogic.

The Celtic midfielder smacked home a right-footed winner from outside the area to secure a 3-2 win for Australia over Syria in Al Ain.

Victory means Australia finish second behind Jordan in their group and will face either Uzbekistan or Japan in a second-round clash in Al Ain next Monday.

Australia had earlier twice taken the lead over the Syrians through Awer Mabil and Chris Ikonomidis but were pegged back by strikes from Syria's big guns Omar Kharbin and Omar Al-Soma.

Mabil gave Australia the first-half lead with a peach of strike in the 41st minute.

Photo: Australia's midfielder Christopher Ikonomid, top, duels for the ball with Syria's defender Omro Midani during the AFC Asian Cup group B soccer match between Australia and Syria at the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. (AP: Kamran Jebreili)

The 23-year-old was released by a quick free-kick in the middle of the field and curled a left-foot finish from outside the box into the far corner of Syria's net.

Within two minutes Syria were level, however, when Kharbin reacted quickest after Mat Ryan had saved his header to slam the ball home.

The Syrians were left fuming in the 54th minute when Ikonomidis restored Australia's lead.

The Perth Glory star's effort was cleared off the line by Syria's Omro Al Midani but Mexican referee Cesar Ramos correctly ruled the ball had crossed the line.

Photo: Omar Khrbin was a constant thorn in the side of the Socceroos defence, earning his side's first goal. (AP: Hassan Ammar)

There were further howls of protest by the Syrians minutes later when Socceroos captain Mark Milligan appeared to handle inside the area after mis-controlling the ball.

It was Australia's turn to shake their heads in the 80th minute when Ramos awarded them a penalty.

Al Soma had fallen inside the area after being tripped by his own player, but Ramos belatedly decided there had been a foul.

The Qasioun Eagles pressed for a winner in the dying minutes in an attempt to leapfrog Australia into second place.

After repelling multiple Syrian attacks, Rogic's classy finish in the 93rd minute settled the match.

AAP

Topics: sport, soccer, socceroos, united-arab-emirates, australia, syrian-arab-republic

First posted January 16, 2019 00:00:45