AFC Asian Cup 2023: Jordan's road to final

The fixture is set to be Jordan’s first ever AFC Asian Cup final.

Jordan’s remarkable progression from finishing third in their group to reaching the final against Qatar on February 10, 2024, can best be described as a tale of perseverance and diligence. Their resolute determination and hard work propelled them to outperform some of the top contenders in the sport, akin to a fairy tale narrative.

Placed in Group E alongside Bahrain, South Korea and Malaysia, Jordan commenced their campaign with a significant victory against Malaysia. However, they advanced to the Round of 16 as the best third-placed team following the group stage fixtures. Alongside Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Indonesia also earned berths in the Round of 16 by finishing third after their respective group stage matches.

In this article we will have a look at Jordan’s road to final in the AFC Asian Cup 2023

Group Stage Match 1: Jordan vs Malaysia (4-0)

On January 15, 2024, Jordan issued a statement during their inaugural match of the tournament, emerging victorious with a 4-0 win over Malaysia. Mahmoud Al-Mardi and Musa Al-Taamari each contributed two goals, resulting in a resounding victory for their team.

Group Stage Match 2: Jordan vs South Korea (2-2)

In the second match on the 20th of January, Jordan competed against South Korea. Their opponent gained an early advantage in the match, securing a goal through Son Heung-min in the 9th minute of play. Jordan managed to equalize in the 37th minute with an own goal by Park Yong-woo. Subsequently, Yazan Al-Naimat scored another goal in the 45+6th minute of play, propelling Jordan into the lead.

The game was in Jordan’s control until Yazan Al-Arab’s intervention in the 90+1st minute, which allowed the South Korean team to level the score and ultimately conclude the match with a draw.

Group Stage Match 3: Jordan vs Bahrain (0-1)

On January 25th, Jordan faced Bahrain in their final group stage fixture. Despite controlling possession for the majority of the game, Jordan conceded a goal to Abdulla Yusuf Helal in the 34th minute. Bahrain maintained their lead until the final whistle, ultimately emerging victorious.

Round of 16 : Jordan vs Iraq (3-2)

Jordan’s inaugural knockout match took place against Iraq on the 29th of January. The fiercely contested fixture commenced with both teams striving to capitalize on every opportunity. However, it was Jordan’s Yazan Al-Naimat who found the back of the net in the 45+1 minute of play, securing the lead before the conclusion of the first half.

In the latter part of the match, the game gained momentum as Saad Natiq, in the 68th minute, and Aymen Hussein, in the 77th minute, both secured goals for Iraq, giving them the lead. However, it was towards the end of the match when Yazan Al-Arab scored the equalizer in the 90+5th minute, followed by Nizar Al-Rashdan’s goal in the 90+7th minute, securing a significant victory for Jordan in the tournament.

Quarter Final: Jordan vs Tajikistan (1-0)

On the 2nd of February, 2024, Jordan competed against Tajikistan in the quarter-final round of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. Despite both teams maintaining a strong passing game and seeking to assert control in every possible way, a lack of goals prevented either team from taking the lead. 

However, in the 66th minute, Tajikistan’s Vahdat Hanonov scored an own goal, granting Jordan the lead in the match. With Tajikistan unable to score, Jordan emerged victorious and secured their place in the semi-final stage.

Semi final: Jordan vs South Korea (2-0)

On February 6, 2024, Jordan competed against South Korea for the second time in the tournament. Despite their initial encounter resulting in a draw, fortune favored Jordan this time. 

The first half concluded without either team scoring, yet the tides turned in the second half. Yazan Al-Naimat netted the first goal for Jordan in the 53rd minute, followed by Musa Al-Taamari’s goal in the 66th minute, propelling Jordan into the tournament’s final.

Final: Jordan vs Qatar

Jordan is going to face Qatar in the final of AFC Asian Cup 2023 on February 10, 2024 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. 

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