Syria was holding firm defensively in what was a clear gameplan from coach Hector Cuper on a rare foray forward Ibrahim Hesar sloppily shot over the bar.At the other end Iran looked dynamic in attack, winger Mehdi Ghayedi launched a skipping shot which was gladfully grabbed by Syrian keeper Ahmad Madania.Colombian-born Pablo Sabbag just beat the offside trap and poked the ball past Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand who sythed the Syrian down in the box.A mistimed barge from Aiham Ousou pulled down Mehdi Taremi in the box leaving the referee with little choice but to award the penalty.After an extensive VAR review, the penalty was eventually given to the joy of the Syrain fans at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.