Jordan at doorstep of qualifying
AFC
Muscat
Jordan defeated Oman 3-0 in their penultimate AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26 Group B tie on Thursday to move within touching distance of qualifying for an inaugural appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
Ali Olwan starred with a hat-trick with the victory moving Jordan to 16 points and their place at next year's global showpiece will be confirmed should Iraq lose to Korea Republic in their tie later on Thursday.
Jordan will remain in pole position even if Iraq defeat Korea Republic as they only have to avoid defeat when the two West Asian sides meet on Tuesday. Oman, meanwhile, still have some work to do if they are to seal a place in the playoffs.
Both sides tested each other in the first 10 minutes, and Oman captain and keeper Faiyz Al Rusheidi had his first shot of adrenaline when Mousa Al Ta'mari put the ball past him in the 11th minute only for the Ligue 1 midfielder to be ruled offside.
The hosts' slow and steady build-up was hampered by poor finishing, with Abdul Al Mushaifri and Harib Al Saadi both fluffing their shots in the 15th and 19th minutes respectively.
Issam Al Sabhi then had a golden opportunity to put Oman ahead, but his close range shot in the 24th minute was resolutely palmed away by keeper Yazeed Abulaila.
A brilliant through ball from Al Saadi from his own half in the 31st minute found Al Sabhi, who controlled the pass with his first touch but then stumbled under pressure in the box.
Jordan, who only had two shots at goal in regulation, were awarded a penalty five minutes into time added on after a VAR review found Mohannad Taha had been brought down, with Olwan duly converting to give his side the advantage going into the break.
It got even better for Jordan six minutes into the second half as a quick break saw Olwan getting his second when he side-footed home Yazan Al Naimat's pass from the left beyond the reach of a diving Al Rusheidi.
Olwan completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute when he gleefully put the ball into an empty net after Al Rusheidi was caught off-position on the right by Al Ta'mari's pass.
Oman made five substitutions but it proved a little too late and the West Asians will have to give it their all in their final match against Palestine on Tuesday.
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