Brave Jordan’s World Cup debut ends in loss to Austria

DUBAI: Jordan’s World Cup debut ended in a 3-1 loss to Austria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday morning, despite a brave performance that promised a potential point for the newcomers.

The loss leaves the Arab nation in third place in Group J, while Austria sit second on goal difference behind Argentina, who earlier had beaten Algeria 3-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi hat trick.

Jordan had started their first-ever participation in the competition in confident fashion, as if undaunted by the historical magnitude of the occasion.

The men of Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami initially packed their backline when defending but looked to find the twin danger men of Mousa Al-Taamari and Ali Alwan when breaking forward.

The 2023 AFC Asian Cup finalists had the first real chance of the night when Odeh Fakhoury, who plays his club football for Pyramids in Egypt, stung the hands of Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager with a fine effort from outside the penalty area.

But it was Austria who broke the deadlock minutes later when Romano Schmid’s fierce drive from similar distance left Jordan’s No. 1 Yazeed Abulaila helpless as the ball sailed past him.

It was Austria’s first goal since scoring against Italy at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Jordan almost responded immediately when Alwan headed onto the bar and to safety from a well-worked corner routine by Fakhoury and Mohannad Abu-Tahah.

Jordan’s best chance to level the match came after 34 minutes when Alwan’s shot from inside the Austrian penalty box was saved by Schlager and before Al-Taamari’s shot from the rebound was blocked by Philipp Lienhart.

In first-half stoppage time, Al-Taamari’s dazzling run off the right wing ended with a weak shot that trickled out