Jordan's players celebrate their team's historic win at the Khalifa International Stadium, yesterday. AFP
Doha, Qatar: Jordan motored their way back from a 1-2 deficit to seal a memorable 3-2 triumph against 10-man Iraq and storm into the quarter-finals of AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, yesterday.
In a breathtaking showdown at Khalifa International Stadium, Jordan’s dramatic victory was sealed by stoppage-time goals from Yazan Al Arab and Nizar Al Rashdan, leaving 35,814 spectators at the iconic venue on the edge of their seats.
Iraq had a bright start as coach Jesus Casas brought back his top players after resting them in the last match.
Jordan's players celebrate their team's historic win at the Khalifa International Stadium, yesterday. AFP
The 2007 winners, grabbed most of the ball possession in yesterday’s crucial tie against their neighbours who sit 24 below them in the FIFA rankings and they wasted no time in asserting their dominance.
Iraq could have gone 1-0 up in the second minute but Ahmed Al Hajjaj narrowly missed a contact with Ali Jasim’s corner.
Jordan also found their rhythm, with Yazan Al Naimat’s long-range attempt in the 11th minute sailed over the bar before Iraq’s Youssef Amyn missed another opportunity four minutes later.
Iraq’s goalkeeper Jalal Hassan thwarted Yazan Al Naimat’s attempt in the 18th minute before Ali Olwan sent a shot wide. Hassan was made to work once again in the 38th minute when Mousa Tamari skillfully navigated past three defenders into the box before the attempt was foiled.
Jordan's Yazan Al Naimat (second right) in action with Iraq's Ali Jasim.
Jordan’s determination paid off just before the half-time break when Al Naimat skillfully steered the ball through the Iraqi defense, delivering a brilliant finish past Hassan.
Iraq, however, turned the match completely around with two masterful goals.
In the 68th minute, Suad Natiq headed home their opening goal after receiving the ball from Jassim’s corner before Aymen Hussein scored what he thought was the winning goal for the Lions of Mesopotamia eight minutes later.
Hussein tapped the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from within the six-yard box and went on to celebrate in a unique style, but the referee felt it was too much.
The joy of Iraq’s comeback was short-lived as Hussein received his second yellow card of the match and subsequent red card for ‘over-celebrating’ after scoring his sixth goal of the tournament.
Casas looked disappointed after his star player was sent off.
“Of course, the sending-off was the turning point,” said Casas.
Jordan's Nizar Al Rashdan celebrates after scoring his team's third goal.
“I don’t understand how a referee can send a player off for celebrating. When this happened we had to make changes and this complicated our task,” Casas said.
“The second half belonged to them, they scored two goals and then had to continue with 10 players,” said Jordan’s coach Hussein Ammouta, who agreed with Casas that Hussein’s red card cost them a lot.
Just when the match was heading for the final stretch, Jordan turned the tables with an incredible double when Yazan Al Arab delivered a 95th-minute equalizer off a rebound after Hassan saved Tamari’s initial effort.
Al Rashdan then netted the winner a minute later with a curling long-range shot, securing Jordan’s maiden win in an Asian Cup knockout stage and leaving the Iraq players and fans stunned.
The victory secured Jordan a last-eight meeting with Tajikistan.
