Among late goals & drama, Jordan earn dramatic win against Iraq in AFC Asian Cup 2023

Aymen Hussein was sent-off in a bizarre fashion and the red card turned the game on it’s head.

Jordan put on an admirable showing of grit and resilience to pull off a thrilling win against Iraq with a 3-2 score-line in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Round of 16 clash on Monday (29 January). In a match full of twists and turns, two stunning added-time goals from the Chivalrous Ones helped them move into the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever and knock out an Iraq side that had dominated their group.

The atmosphere was palpable at the Khalifa International Stadium at Al-Rayyan, with both teams represented strongly in the stands with thousands of loud and proud fans. The supporters were clearly having a lot of fun, cheering every positive thing about their team’s performance – all while trying to demotivate the opposition.

Jordan started the game strongly and frustrated Iraq with their compact defensive shape, not allowing them much space at all inside the box. The Iraqi players were forced to try their luck from long-range efforts in the first, with a few shots bricking just wide of Yazeed Abdulaila’s goalpost.

Jordan were able to capitalize on lapses of concentration in the opposition backline, often running through on goal and forcing Jalal Hassan into making a few sharp saves in the first half. However, Jalal was left undone in the dying minutes of the first half – when striker Yazan Al-Naimat pounced on a poor misplaced pass and burst past the Iraqi defenders before sneakily chipping over Jalal for the goal.

The Chivalrous Ones went into the break on top of the game and that seemed to have given Iraq the shake-up that they needed. Head coach Jesus Casas fired up his players with his half-time pep talk and a couple of early substitutes in the second half – which saw the likes of Zidane Iqbal and Merchas Doski brought on – did the trick in bringing more intensity to Iraq’s game.

After threatening on the set-pieces all game long, the Lions of Mesopotamia brought the game level in the 68th minute when centre-back Saad Naji’s well-placed header slid through the Jordan goalkeeper and defender Yazan Al-Arab to sneak into the back of the net.

Suddenly, Iraq had all the momentum and control they needed to rally back and cause their opponents to crumble under pressure. Eight minutes later, a cross from the left flank was not cleared properly by the Jordan backline and the ball fell to Iraq striker Ayman Hussein, whose powerful volley burst into the bottom corner.

The Iraqi fans were sent into a frenzy, with Aymen taking his tally to six goals in the Asian Cup and extending his lead in the top-scorers tally. What happened next confused many. Hussein celebrated his goal by doing a celebration where he gestured a ‘having a meal’ sign with his hands – as the Jordan players did after they scored their goal.

However, the referee ended up showing him his second yellow card for the same and sending him off – as he saw his actions as one to infuriate the opposition fans. Iraq were, hence, dragged out of their comfort zone and had to endure a nervy end to the game.

Jordan threw in the kitchen sink in the desperate search for goals, and their incredible perseverance paid off spectacularly. At first, it looked like Jalal would be the hero for his side after making a fantastic save to deny Musa Al-Taamari in the 92nd minute.

However, the Chivalrous Ones kept pushing and in the 97th minute, a powerful effort was initially parried away by Jalal – but fell right to Al-Arab – who converted from close range. Suddenly, the Iraqi players’ spirit was broken and the game’s entire momentum shifted. Jordan did not let up or want to play for extra time and pushed right after the game resumed again.

After a slick move, what seemed like a speculative long-range effort from midfielder Nizar Al Rashdan bolted into the back of the net to send the Jordan players and fans into ruptures. Iraq had a late chance to equalize, but under immense pressure, they missed a chance from close range.

Lady luck, it seemed, had it for Jordan to pull off this amazing upset. Jordan will now face Tajikistan in their first-ever AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals on Friday (February 2).

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