Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Irbid: Adham Sharefa scored from the penalty spot a minute from time to secure Al Jaish a place in the quarter-finals of the 2015 AFC Cup on Wednesday, with the goal sealing a 1-0 win over Al Jazeera.
Al Jaish, winners of the inaugural AFC Cup back in 2003, also had goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh to thank for keeping them in the game with a penalty save seven minutes from the end of a tight clash.
Resilience key to Syrian side’s success maintains Makhlouf
The Syrians, who advanced to the knockout rounds after winning Group D ahead of three-time champions Kuwait SC in the previous phase, will be looking to rekindle their past performances in the competition when the tournament resumes in August.
Neither side created much of a threat in an uneventful opening 45 minutes as the pressure took its toll on the two teams in the one-off decider with neither side wanting to make a mistake.
The complexion of the game changed, however, in the second half with Al Jazeera gaining the upper hand and, with just seven minutes remaining, the Jordanians should have taken the lead.
Muayad Al Khouli hauled down Franco Alves and Al Jazeera were awarded a penalty, but captain Loiy Emran saw his effort saved by Madanieh to keep the scores level.
The tie looked destined for 30 minutes of extra time but, with just a minute remaining, the Syrians claimed the only goal of the game with a penalty of their own.
Al Jazeera goalkeeper Ahmad Nawas brought Abdulatef Salkeni down in the area and Sharefa made no mistake from the spot, beating the goalkeeper to his right to send his team into the last eight.
Photo: WSG