Jordan keep WC hopes alive with victory over Oman

Jordan’s Ahmad Hayel (C) runs with the ball as Oman’s Jaber al-Owaisi (R) and Raed Saleh (C-back) defend during their 2014 World Cup qualifier group B football match in Amman

A 57th minute strike by Ahmad Ibrahim was enough to keep alive host Jordan’s chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup after they beat Oman 1-0 in their Group B Asian qualifier match.

At King Abdullah International Stadium in Amman, the hosts created most of the chances and avenged their earlier 2-1 away loss.

Jordan, who moved to 10 points and into third place in their group, will now take on Uzbekistan, the third placed team in Group A after their 5-1 win over Qatar, in the continental play-off series, scheduled to be held in two legs on September 6 and 10 this year. The winner will then advance to the intercontinental playoff.

Even after Ibrahim’s decisive strike, which was the result of a superb effort following a brilliant run down the right from Khali Bani Ateyah, Oman could not mount any serious challenge and have bowed out of the tournament with nine points in eight matches. All they needed was a draw to advance instead of Jordan, but that was not to be.

Oman stepped up the offensive in the last 10 minutes and did get several free kick chances, but the only time Jordan keeper Amar Sabbah was forced to make a good save was in the 83rd minute, when Saad Al Mukhaini blasted a powerful shot.

A goalless first half was largely dominated by an attack-minded Jordan, while Oman had a couple of chances on the counter-attack, although they did not come up with anything that could test Sabbah.

Jordan came close to scoring twice in the first half, but finishing was an issue on both occasions. In the 19th minute, Khalil Bani Ateyah was free inside the box but he lost the ball following a brilliant cross from Odai Alsaify. Exactly 10 minutes later, the hosts had their best chance of the first half, but Mohammas Aldmeiri headed a great cross just over the bar.