Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Singapore: Jordan qualified for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup with a 3-1 win over Singapore in an ill-tempered Group A clash at Jalan Besar Stadium on Tuesday.
Thaer Bawab opened the scoring for Jordan just before the interval, and after Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan was sent-off in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Ahmad Hayel added a second after the restart.
Visiting captain Hayel also saw red in the second half, but despite Khairul Amri reducing the deficit for Singapore with a late penalty, substitute Yousef Ahmad netted in stoppage time as unbeaten Jordan sealed qualification from Group A alongside Oman with a game to spare.
“When Singapore scored the penalty, it put my players under a lot of stress,” said Jordan coach Hossam Hassan.
“But we kept our composure to score again and achieved what we had wanted to do, to qualify for the finals.”
After sharing a goalless draw with Oman in Muscat on Friday, Jordan knew a win in Singapore would seal qualification from Group A with a game to spare having seen their campaign delayed due to their 2014 FIFA World Cup play-off with Uruguay.
And Jordan overcame slow artificial pitch conditions to dominate proceedings, with Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud called into action several times to keep the scores level.
But Singapore’s resistance was finally broken two minutes before half time courtesy of Bawab’s free-kick following a foul on Hayel on the edge of the area.
The Southeast Asian side endured further misery just before half-time when Baihakki was dismissed following a clash with Mus’ab Al Lahham during a throw-in having already picked up a yellow card midway through the opening 45 minutes.
And Jordan extended their lead just before the hour mark as Hayel rose unopposed to head home Al Lahham’s corner.
Hayel, though, soon followed Baihakki down the tunnel with 21 minutes remaining after picking up a second yellow card after half-time.
And with numerical parity restored, Singapore were handed a lifeline as Jordan defender Baha’ Abdelrahman was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area and Amri converted from the spot.
But with Ahmad restoring the two-goal cushion in stoppage time following a long unopposed run, Singapore’s fourth defeat in five games in Group A was confirmed.
“We gave away too many fouls outside our box and one of our most senior players let us down with a lack of discipline,” said Singapore coach Bernd Stange.
“But we risked everything to go forward and press, but we are not experienced enough to tackle teams like Jordan.”
Photo: AFP