Jordan 2-1 Syria

AFC – DOHA, Jordan came from a goal down to see off Syria 2-1 and set up an AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ quarter-final clash with Uzbekistan.

Adnan Hamad’s men only needed a point from the contest at Qatar Sports Club Stadium to qualify from Group B but fell behind to Mohamad Al Zino’s goal after 15 minutes.

But an own goal from Ali Dyab levelled the scores on the half-hour mark before the defender’s hesitancy allowed Odai Al Saify to capitalise on Amer Shafi’s long goal kick and net Jordan’s winner in the 59th minute.

Jordan almost went in front inside the first minute when Hassan Abdel Fattah was released in the box by Amer Deeb but slid his shot wide.

Syria, who needed all three points to advance, then took the lead after quarter of an hour when Sanharib Malki drove into the box and although Shafi parried his strike, Al Zino was on hand to smash the ball into the net.

Syria should have doubled their lead four minutes later but Al Zino sent a free header from Malki’s cross disappointingly wide of the target from six yards.

The Jordanians stepped up their attacks and equalised in the 30th minute when Dyab and keeper Mosab Balhous failed to deal with Deeb’s cross and the defender headed into his own net.

Jordan then nearly took the lead in the 35th minute but Fattah could not direct a half-volley on target before Syria threatened with a chance of their own just before the break but Shafi kept out Wael Ayan’s free-kick.

Syria began the second-half searching for the goal they needed to maintain their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals with Samer Aouad twice calling Shafi into action.

Feras Ismail then nodded Jehad Al Hussien’s corner over the bar before disaster struck when Jordan took the lead just before the hour mark.

Shafi’s goal kick was allowed to travel the length of the pitch and as Dyab dallied, Al Saify took advantage to nip in and knock the ball past the onrushing Balhous.

Syria pressed and probed but could not fashion the goals they needed to stay in the competition and Jordan could have increased their lead with eight minutes to go but Moayad Abukeshek fired into the side netting when he would have been better served pulling the ball back to the far post.