Both sides showed their intent early in the match, Iraq’s Yousef Alrasheedi firing his shot straight at Jordan goalkeeper Abdallah Alfakhori from a tight angle while at the opposite end,  Omar Hani squeezed past three defenders but pulled his shot wide.

Jordan’s next shot on target came from an Amin Al Shanaineh free-kick from just outside the box that was routinely punched away by Iraq custodian Khaled Alfadhli in the 16th minute. 

As the game progressed, Ahmad Hayel’s charges started piecing half chances in front of goal, with an unmarked Omar Hani heading the ball over the bar as Jordan peppered their opponents' box with decent crosses that failed to cause damage.

With both teams struggling in the final third, they entered the locker rooms searching for the breakthrough, fully aware that a win would put them closer towards qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Jordan started the second half the livelier of the two sides, looking to breach Iraq’s defensive line. Their first chance came after the hour mark, Aburiziq burst inside the  box but sent his attempt straight at Khaled.

As Iraq defended in numbers, the pressure was on Jordan to break the deadlock which they finally did in the 68th minute, Aburiziq rising the highest to head home Nizar Al Rashdan’s corner that left Iraq goalkeeper Khaled rooted as Jordan heaved a sigh of relief.

Jordan were now brimming with confidence as they searched for a second, Shanaineh this time picking up a loose ball on the right but blasted his shot against the post, just minutes after their first goal.

There was a twist in the tale in the 85th minute when Aldiabat received his marching orders for a dangerous foul but Iraq failed to capitilise on the extra man as Jordan held on for three valuable points. 

Kuwait will play Iraq, who still have a mathematical chance of advancing to the quarter-finals, on Tuesday while Jordan face Australia, with both teams on four points.