Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Changshu: Saudi Arabia scored twice in the final minutes to come back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw with Group C rivals Jordan in their AFC U23 Championship opener on Wednesday.
A goal in each half from Baha Faisal looked set to secure all three points for Iain Brunskill’s side but goals from Abdulelah Al Amri and Rakan Al Anaze meant the teams settled for a point apiece.
Jordan took the lead just 12 minutes into the game after Ali Lajami gifted possession to Faisal midway inside the Saudi Arabia half and the 22-year-old was only too happy to take full advantage as he slipped the ball past Amin Al Bukhari to score.
The Saudis appeared to be affected by the cold, and Daniel Teglia’s side took time to find their rhythm. Abdulaziz Al Aryani threatened to open up the Jordanian defence, only for Rafat Al Rabie to drop down and snuff out the opportunity.
Mousa Suleiman was a constant threat down the right side for Jordan with the ball at his feet, and it took a sharp block from Al Bukhari to deny him in the 20th minute while, with 10 minutes remaining in the half, Yazan Al Arab’s header was also kept out.
Osama Al Khalaf was becoming increasingly influential for Saudi Arabia as the half wore on and it was his inch-perfect pass over the top of the Jordan defence that provided Sami Al Naji with his side’s best chance of the half. But Al Rabie’s quick dash off the line allowed him to block the Al Nassr midfielder’s shot.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jordan-saudi_arabiau23-action.html
