Jordan 2-1 India: 5 Talking Points

#3 Jordan lacked creativity in the attacking third

Jordan wasted chances

Jordan lost to World Cup runners Croatia 1-2 in their previous match. The score line would now look unimaginable comparing to the performance they dished out against India on Saturday. Of course, they were the better team on the pitch and deservedly won the match, but they should have won by more goals against a depleted side like India, who were ravaged by the off-field issues.

Jordan coach Vital Borkelmans missed his star player Musa Al-Tamari. But they had full strength on their disposal. Like his counterpart, the Jordan coach was also shuffling with his side to pick out the best XI which will play in the Asian Cup a couple of months later. But Saturday’s performance proved there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

The home side started with a 3-5-2 formation and controlled the match right from the start. Ahmed Sameer and Khalil Bani Attiah kept changing positions in the two wings. Attiah was most destructive from the left side. He even went near the goal mouth few times but wasted every opportunity. His crosses are also not lethal.

Faisal and Ehsan also failed to live up their reputation. Despite fielding an attacking side, there was not enough firepower among the Jordan players which could pressurise Indian defenders.

They will face a much sterner test against Saudi Arabia two days later and in the Asian Cup against Australia.