AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers - Group E: Bhutan 0-5 Jordan; Philippines 2-3 Iraq

Aqaba: Jordan and Iraq recorded contrasting wins in Group E of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Qualifiers on Saturday.

Jordan cruised 5-0 past Bhutan while Iraq had to stave off a determined Philippines to clinch a 3-2 victory.

Bhutan 0-5 Jordan
Jordan were camped in the Bhutan half almost from the kick-off and their aggression paid off in the seventh minute through Osama Haitham Aljawhari, who showed a great presence of mind to evade a crowd of Bhutan players to slot the ball home.

Jordan continued to dictate terms, resulting in desperate defending by Bhutan but the South Asian side's defence was breached again in the 42nd minute.

They again failed to clear the ball, allowing midfielder Laith Osama Alrabie to slot the ball home from close range.

The momentum remained very much in favour of Jordan in the second half and they netted their third in the 65th minute through forward Suleiman Zeyad E'Laya, who nodded the ball home from close range.

Mamduh Mansour Abusa scored the fourth after showing excellent footwork with Adnan Mohammad Bakkar netting the final goal of the evening in added on time.

Philippines 2-3 Iraq

After exchanging early opportunities, Iraq gradually began to take control and went ahead in the 21st minute through Alamer Hayder Hared, who controlled Ali Amer Sarray's low cross from the right and slammed home from close range.

Philippines, however, were undaunted and forced their way back into the game thanks to Filbert Tacardon, who stole the ball in midfield, surged into the penalty box and cut it back for Aarran Long, who hit the back of the net with a sweet strike.

A stung Iraq immediately increased their tempo and after several misses, regained the lead in the 41st minute when Muntadher Eraibi surged unchallenged into the six-yard box to slot the ball into the net from a corner.

Philippines hit the ground running after the break and drew level in the 51st minute through Lawrence Binalong, with the midfielder gleefully lobbing the ball into the net from 30 yards after Iraq muffed a clearance.

Iraq, however, were not to be denied the win - regaining the advantage in the 76th minute when Philippines keeper Jaime Sandejas dropped Eraibi's cross, with Hared knocking the dropped ball into the net.

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