The nation - currently gripped by conflict - has never reached the finals of a World Cup but have a real chance of making history this time around with a top-two place still within their grasp.

Playing in front of a crowd of just 350 in Malaysia, Omar Khribin's 90th-minute penalty moved Syria to within a point of its opponent, which sits in the play-off spot in Group A.

Syria is just two points adrift of South Korea - which was beaten 1-0 by China - in the second automatic qualifying place, with a huge trip to Seoul looming on Wednesday (AEDT).

Any positive result on would give it a huge advantage heading into the final two games, given Syria faces group struggler Qatar and China.