DOHA: Two goals in time added on at the end of second half saw Jordan upset 2007 Champions Iraq 3-2 in a closely fought 2023 Asian Cup round of 16 match at the Khalifa International Stadium here yesterday.
In the action packed match, Jordan who took the lead on the stroke of half time, were trailing 1-2 at the end of the second half before scoring two goals in the space of two minutes, well into added time, with the winning goal coming from Nizar Al Rashdan to book their ticket to the quarterfinals.
Iraq under the tutelage of Jesus Garcia missed a chance to race into the lead by the 21st minute when Hussein Haidar Ali’s shot from outside the box went wide.
Jordan, launching fast counter attacks, almost punished Iraq’s lapse in defence when Ali Olwan raced into the penalty box but could not seize a golden opportunity to score when his weak shot was saved by goalkeeper Jalal Hassan in the 29th minute.
However, the early disappointment turned into joy when Yazan Al Naimat who intercepted a pass by Amir Fouad on the stroke of half time, raced towards the opponents goal before deceiving Hassan and coolly tucking the ball home to give Jordan a 1-0 half time lead.
The start of the second half saw Iraq who were eager to find an equaliser, increase the pace and double their attack and from one such move Haidar Ali was presented with a good opportunity to equalise but his powerful strike was palmed out by goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila in the 56th minute.
Abulaila was once again called into action when he saved a close range attempt by Suad Natiq in the 67th minute but Haidar’s disappointment was quickly wiped out moments later by Natiq who headed in the ensuing corner kick taken by Ali Jasim.
The goal seemed to have given the Iraq side a much needed boost as they dominated the action and the tournament’s top goalscorer Aymen Hussein scored from close range in the 76th minute after a mistake by Yazan Al Arab who when trying to clear a cross from Merchas Ghazi Salih, headed the ball backwards instead.
However, Hussein’s joyous moment of celebration after scoring his sixth goal in the tournament, proved a costly one when referee Alireza Faghani flashed a second yellow card for celebrating the goal in front of the opposing fans, thus forcing the scorer to leave the field.
With Iraq reduced to 10-man, Jordan seized the opportunity to equalise through Al Arab and Nizar Al Rashdan struck the winner, all within two minutes of time added on.
Jordan who will be making their third quarterfinal appearance, will face giant-killers Tajikistan at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on Friday. – BERNAMA
