The Syrian national football team is a microcosm of the country itself, with some players supporting the government, and others favoring opposition forces. The team played a crucial match on Thursday against Australia that could see the war-torn country go all the way to the 2018 World Cup finals and as Alaa Ebrahim tells us, the team's heroic exploits are helping to bring a divided country closer together.

 

Sham FM is one of Syria's leading news radio stations. But while it typically airs hard news and talk shows, today the mood is more upbeat. With the Syrian national football team now just one win away from qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, the whole country has been gripped by football fever.

 

JA'AFAR MAYA RADIO SHOW HOST Football can bring people together. When the Cote d'Ivoire qualified for the World Cup, it helped to unite the country, so many are hoping the same thing will happen with Syria.

 

Today's coverage will be different from Ja'afar's usual reports as a war correspondent. He shows me a music video that his radio channel has produced to support Syria's bid to make it to next year's World Cup in Russia.

 

ALAA EBRAHIM DAMASCUS If you pick up any cell phone in Syria today you will notice that the service providers have changed their names on your phone to be YES WE CAN, a hashtag that was released to support the national football team. If you go down to the street you find ads supporting the team and though it is not very likely that Syria will get to the world cup this is a much needed break from the war that every Syrian is looking for.

 

People have flocked to squares where mega screens have been set up, and enthusiasm is sky-high.

 

NAWAL IBRAHIM SYRIAN FOOTBALL FAN We need joy and this why we all came down to watch the game together. Win or lose, we will support our team.

 

JAWAD SYRIAN FOOTBALL FAN The game was great. Although we didn't win, our boys played a great match, and we couldn't be prouder.

 

The first leg of the crucial play-off against Australia didn't start well, with the Australians taking the lead. But a late penalty gave Syria the chance to level the scores, with everyone waiting with bated breath to see the outcome. Syria's number 9 Omar Al Somah scored to keep the nation's World Cup hopes alive. The return leg will take place in Australia on Tuesday. But for Syrians who have become used to living one day at a time, the hope is very much still alive and this result is a victory in itself. Alaa Ebrahim - CGTN - Damascus.