Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 semi-final match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 6, 2024. (Pic by Mohamed Farag / The Peninsula)
Doha, Qatar: Jordan started as the underdogs against much-fancied South Korea but it looked the other way round in the first semi-final of the AFC Asian Cup at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Coached by Hussein Ammouta, Jordan – ranked 64 positions lower – enjoyed complete domination over Jurgen Klinsmann’s team in what was their first-ever semi-final in the continental showpiece, winning it 2-0.
Forward Mousa Al Tamari crafted the historic victory as he first set up Yazan Al Naimat for a 53rd minute opener before showcasing a mesmeric solo run to score in the 66th minute in front of 43,000 spectators.
Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 semi-final match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 6, 2024. (Pic by Mohamed Farag / The Peninsula)
As referee Mohammed Abdulla Hassan blew the final whistle, Jordan players lifting their national flags celebrated the famous win, acknowledging their euphoric fans which outnumbered the South Korean supporters last evening.
Jordan will meet defending champions Qatar or Iran in their first-ever final in the continental showpiece on Saturday.
“It’s a historic victory. The players really worked hard in the match against a tough side. It’s a great achievement to be in the final,” said Ammouta.
"What you saw today was the fruition of several years of work. We must defend this shirt with everything we’ve got. We are growing more ambitious by the hour.”
Al Tamari said: “It means everything to me to be in the final and I hope we can do it in the final. It’s also good to be in the final because it will make everyone speak about my country in France and this is very emotional for me.”
It was a night to forget for captain Son Heung-min’s shell-shocked South Korea, who remained at the receiving end as they failed to take even a single shot on target in the entire match.
Jordan's players celebrate after defeating South Korea during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 semi-final match at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 6, 2024. (Pic by Mohamed Farag / The Peninsula)
Their fans continued to hope for their “zombie football” performance – a term given by the media back home after their last-gasp comebacks against Saudi Arabia and Australia. But Jordan were well prepared and did not allow space to South Korea, who saw their quest for the first title since 1960 ending in heartbreak.
The contrast between the two sides was obvious right from the beginning as South Korea endured a nervy start, and it was Jordan who kept their fans on their feet in the first half taking a dozen of attempts including four dangerous hits on target.
Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-Woo remained a busy man as Ammouta’s side continued to find spaces with Ehsan Haddad and Nizar Al Rashdan making early strides. Jordan had already made four threatening attempts in the first 10 minutes.
Jo was forced into action in 18th minute as the Korean goalkeeper blocked an ambitious shot from outside the box by Noor Al Rawabdeh.
AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 semi-final match between Jordan and South Korea at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on February 6, 2024. (Pic by Mohamed Farag / The Peninsula)
Al Naimat, who had an outstanding start, then tested Jo with the left-footed shot in the centre before South Korea briefly shifted the momentum.
Seol Young-Woo ripped through Jordan defence from the left and the referee thought Yazan Al Arab was at fault inside the box as he pointed at the spot, before a VAR review gave a sigh of relief to Jordan camp just before the half-hour mark.
Lee Jae-Sung then saw his header hit the right post before Jo denied back-to-back shots on target from Al Rawabdeh and Al Naimat three minutes before half-time.
Hwang In-beom had a golden chance on the stroke of half-time but he skied the ball over the bar with just goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila to beat.
A brilliant play by Al Tamari helped Jordan took the lead eight minutes after the break as the Montpellier forward intercepted a poor pass inside the Korean half to set up Al Naimat. The forward nestled the ball in the net with a perfect chip, compensating for a couple of missed attempts to score in spectacular fashion in the first half.
Jordan's Musa Al Tamari (left) scores his team's second goal during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 semi-final match against South Korea at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, yesterday. Pic: Mohamed Farag/The Peninsula
South Korea got an opportunity to equalise at the hour mark but luck eluded Cho Gue-Sung as his header just flew over the bar.
Knowing South Korea’s potential of making late fightbacks, Jordan were seeking a two-goal cushion and it was Tamari, who excelled again. The forward took on almost half of the Korean side clearing several defenders to slot the ball in the left corner with a shot from outside the box.
Tottenham star Son, who scored the extra-time winner over Australia in the quarter-finals, looked off colour as South Korea failed to stage a comeback like they did earlier in the knockout stage.
Klinsmann said he would not resign after the exit.
“I plan to analyse this tournament and talk to the (Korean) federation about what was good and not so good. There was a lot of good stuff we saw. It is a team that is growing and still needs to develop towards the next World Cup,” the German legend said.
“There is a lot of work ahead of us. Apart from that, I am not thinking of anything,” he added.
