The Jordan national team reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup currently being held in Qatar after a thrilling 3-2 victory over their Iraqi counterparts on Monday in the Round of 16. The goals for Jordan were scored by Yazan Al-Naimat (45+1), Yazan Al-Arab (90+5), and Nizar Rashdan (90+7). The Iraqi Lions scored through Saad Natiq (68) and Ayman Hussein (76).
Jordan advanced to the quarter-finals where they will face Tajikistan next Friday. The match started cautiously; however, neither team concealed their aspirations for an early goal to disrupt their opponent's calculations. Jordan relied on its usual formation, focusing their attacks on the movements of A'id and Rashdan from the midfield, working to supply the flanks occupied by Murad, Alwan, and Al-Tamari, with Al-Naimat positioned in front.
Iraq, on the other hand, adopted a balanced approach at the start of the match, attempting to control the midfield area with Osama Rashid, Ali Jasem, Baish, and Al-Amin, while striker Ayman Hussein was closely monitored by Jordan's defender Abdullah Naseeb. Al-Tamari's advances from the right side frequently troubled Iraq's defense led by Natiq, Solaka, and Hussein Ali, and Ahmed Yahya.
Jordan almost drew first blood in the 18th minute after a series of dribbles from Ali Alwan, who exchanged passes with Al-Naimat before launching a low shot that was barely deflected by Jalal Hassan for a corner. Hussein Ali responded with a powerful shot from outside the box that narrowly missed Abu Leila's right post. Ali Alwan squandered a chance to put Jordan ahead when he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but shot directly at Jalal Hassan.
Both teams exchanged opportunities; Baish launched a tremendous shot which Abu Leila managed to deflect for a corner, while Al-Tamari successfully navigated around four defenders but was thwarted by Jalal Hassan just in time. Jordan capitalized on their superior performance by scoring the opening goal after intercepting the ball from Iraq's defense and swiftly facing the goal to confidently shoot into the net in the 45+1 minute.
In the second half, Iraq entered the match eagerly looking to level the score early. To bolster their attacking potency, Iraq's coach KASAAS introduced Vergas Doski and Zidan Iqbal in place of Ahmed Yahya and Youssef Aiham. As Iraq struggled with offensive effectiveness, their coach brought in Muhannad Ali while Jordan focused on absorbing their opponent's momentum and clearing the ball whenever necessary.
Iraq posed a threat when Ibrahim Babish fired a powerful shot that Abu Leila deflected for a corner. The Iraqi Lions equalized in the 67th minute from a corner taken by Saad Natiq, who headed the ball into Abu Leila's net. Natiq's joy was short-lived, as he soon exited the match injured, making way for Ali Adnan, while Jordan sought to regain the lead.
Jordan's defense faltered in clearing a cross, allowing the alert Ayman Hussein to set himself up beautifully and fire a shot low to Abu Leila's right in the 76th minute. Ayman Hussein received a red card for excessive celebration, leaving Iraq to finish the match with ten players.
Jordan's coach delayed substitutions before bringing on Saleh Ratib in the 87th minute instead of Ragaei A'id. In the 90+3 minute, Jordan achieved the equalizer when the ball reached Yazan Al-Arab inside the penalty area, and he netted it calmly.
The match concluded dramatically, as Jordan scored the winning goal in the 90+7 minute when Nizar Rashdan received the ball just outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful strike that settled into Jalal Hassan's left corner.
