Asian Cup: Jordan 1 Saudi Arabia 0

A fluke goal from Baha’a Abdul-Rahman secured a 1-0 win for Jordan over Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup’s Group B on Thursday.

A second defeat from two matches all but condemns 2007 runners-up Saudi Arabia to a humiliating group-stage exit, following their shock 2-1 loss to Syria in their tournament opener.

After weathering Saudi pressure for the majority of the first half at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Abdul-Rahman’s cross-cum-shot wrong-footed goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah to give Jordan the lead.

They escaped a late Saudi barrage to move to four points and put themselves in position to progress from the group.

A cagey opening saw few real chances early on until Saudi Arabia slowly began to settle into the game.

Naif Hazazi – unlucky not to score in Sunday’s shock defeat to Syria – had the first real chance 15 minutes in, connecting with a cross from Mohammad Al Shalhoub only for Jordan goalkeeper Amer Sabah to tip his header over.

Jordan were not without opportunities of their own, but they were soon reduced to increasingly rare counter-attacks as Saudi Arabia dominated.

Naif went close again but narrowly failed to connect with a sliding attempt, before full-back Abdullah Shuhail beat his man, advanced down the right flank and broke into the box, only to see a threatening cut-back well blocked.

With Jordan pinned into their own half, it appeared to be only a matter of time before Saudi Arabia found a way through.

The opening goal did finally arrive three minutes before the break, but it surprised everyone by going to Jordan.

From a wide position and with no danger apparent, Abdul-Rahman launched a hopeful cross towards the back post which deceived Waleed, flying over the Saudi goalkeeper and into the net to make it 1-0 completely against the run of play.

Still reeling after conceding from nowhere, Saudi Arabia might have gone two down when Odai Al Saifi beat the offside trap and homed in on goal, only for Waleed to rush out and smother the chance.

The second half quickly settled into the same pattern as the first, as Saudi Arabia dominated possession without being able to find the breakthrough.

Nasser Al Shamrani had the best chance to level on 75 minutes.

A fleet-footed dribble and slick one-two saw the substitute burst through the Jordan defence, only for Sabah to rush out and smother.

Just as they had in the final desperate moments against Syria, Saudi Arabia threw everything forward in a bid to find the equaliser.

Naif saw a shot blocked – perhaps with the use of a hand – in the 90th minute, before centreback Osama Al Harbi sent a near post header inches over the bar.

Crosses rained in, but Sabah held firm.

Jordan, who drew 1-1 with Japan in their opening match on Thursday, survived to record their first win of the tournament and inflict a devastating blow on Saudi Arabia’s pre-tournament expectations.