SINGAPORE: Jordan stunned Asian champions Australia 2-0 on Thursday to throw open their World Cup qualifying group after handing the Socceroos their first loss of the campaign.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were the big casualties on another tricky night of qualifying for Asia’s elite, with Iran producing a scratchy display before salvaging a 1-1 draw against Oman in Group ‘D’, while South Korea only edged Kuwait 1-0 away in Group ‘G’.

Four-times Asian champions Japan also encountered some problems against Syria before a second half flurry handed them a 3-0 win in Muscat, while Iraq snatched a 1-1 draw in Vietnam after a 97th-minute penalty by Younis Mahmoud.

There was no hero for the Socceroos in Amman, however, as a thumping penalty by Hasan Abdel Fattah at the start of the second half and a late second from Hamza Al Dardour sent Jordan top of Group ‘B’ with 10 points from four games. Australia have nine points.

Only the group winners in the five team pools are guaranteed a spot in the next round of Asian qualifying for Russia 2018 and Australia, winners of their first three matches, now have little room for error.

Iran, who played at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, also looked in a sticky situation in Group ‘D’ after Saad Al Mukhaini put Oman ahead following some poor defending from Ehsan Hajisafi.

The Iranians, though, improved after the break and Hajisafi atoned for his earlier error by firing in a cross from the left which Seyed Jalal Hosseini turned in from close range in the 70th minute.

The two sides are level at the top of the pool on eight points from four games, with Guam a further point back in third.

Japan leapfrogged Syria and went top of Group ‘E’ after Keisuke Honda’s 55th-minute penalty was followed by a close-range effort from Shinji Okazaki, while substitute Takashi Usami added a third in the dying minutes.

Japan are a point clear of Syria and two ahead of Singapore, who had a 1-0 win over Afghanistan.

South Korea overcame Kuwait thanks to Koo Ja-cheol’s 12th-minute header to move three points clear of the hosts in the pool while Mahmoud’s penalty moved Iraq two points behind Group ‘F’ leaders Thailand.

North Korea’s winning streak in World Cup qualifying came to an end with a 0-0 draw against the Philippines. The North Koreans lead Group ‘H’ with 10 points from four games.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2015

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