AFC Asian Cup - Palestine 0 Jordan 0 - Match Report
Stalemate in Abu Dhabi as Palestine finish third in Group B with 0-0 draw against Jordan
Mitch Freeley
Palestine's Asian Cup hopes were rescued by Australia as a 0-0 draw with Jordan eventually proved enough for them to finish third in Group B.
The stalemate appeared to have been in vain for Palestine as the contest finished with Syria on course to take third as they were level 2-2 with Australia in injury time, only for a late Socceroos winner to dash their hopes and spark jubilant scenes among the Palestinian fans in Abu Dhabi.
Jordan's wins over Australia and Syria had already assured them of a place in the knock-out rounds and they played like a team with little on the line as Palestine had largely the better of Tuesday's contest.
Palestine were thumped 5-1 by Jordan in their only other appearance at the Asian Cup in 2015 but such a rout was never on the cards this time around.
Had Palestine been more clinical in front of goal they may have taken all three points, but it mattered not as Tom Rogic's stoppage-time effort in Al Ain kept their dream alive, while Jordan top the group.
The first half was low on clear-cut opportunities but Palestine captain Abdallatif Al Bahdari forced Amer Shafi to tip over the crossbar when he met Tamer Seyam's corner.
Baha Abdel-Rahman's ambitious long-range effort flew narrowly over at the other end but Jordan would have fallen behind in the second half had Oday Dabbagh made more of the game's best chance.
Dabbagh ballooned a header over from Musab Battat's right-wing cross with all of the goal to aim at, before the excellent Al Bahdari headed straight at Shafi from a corner.
The finishing touch deserted Palestine, but their despair turned to joy as news of Australia's winner filtered through, though they must now wait on other results to see if they will contest a knock-out game.
Live Updates
Preamble
Having already sealed their place in the round of sixteen, the Jordanian fans are in high spirits!
أجواء رائعة في مدرجات مشجعي النشامى! 🇯🇴🥁#كأس_آسيا2019 #فلسطين_الأردن @JordanFA pic.twitter.com/LiPtqkGnso — #كأس_آسيا2019 (@afcasiancup_ar) January 15, 2019
Team News! Oday Dabbagh gets the nod for Palestine. As for Jordan, they have made a few changes but captain Amer Shafi & dangerous winger Yaseen Al-Bakhit keep their place in the side.
📝 Starting XIs for both teams: 🇵🇸 Palestine 🆚 Jordan 🇯🇴
With Jordan through to the next round, the pressure will be on Palestine tonight. Can they reach the #AsianCup2019 round of 16? pic.twitter.com/CZokQD4s5Y — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 15, 2019
It's a huge day for Palestine who needs to win to book a place in the round of sixteen. Boss Noureddine Ould Ali had this to say at the pre-match press conference.
"We will be playing against Jordan as if it is a final. We spoke to the players after the game against Australia, and they are now ready and willing to sacrifice everything in order to qualify – something which would be very historic. "
Good afternoon! Welcome to the Live Updates of Palestine Vs Jordan at the Asian Cup. Having already booked their place in the round of sixteen Jordan may elect to rest some players. Palestine has an outside chance of making the round of sixteen but will need the game between Australia Vs Syria to go their way! Stick around for all the latest updates from the game including Live Match commentary and the goals as they go in!
