Asian Cup 2015 (Qs): It was a difficult match, saysShaar

Amman: Thaer Bawab scored twice before being sent-off as Australia-bound Jordan rounded off their successful AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Syria at Amman International Stadium on Wednesday.

Two-time quarter-finalists Jordan had already confirmed their third AFC Asian Cup appearance after advancing from Group A with a game to spare following February’s 3-1 win over Singapore, while the national Syrian team  needed to win to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.

And despite Syria’s Omar Kharbin netting with 10 minutes remaining in the final Group A contest of the campaign after goalscorerBawab had been dismissed, Hossam Hassan’s side were able to complete their unbeaten record alongside fellow qualifiers Oman.

“We had to win today because we wanted to give our fans something to celebrate after securing our qualification in the previous round. I asked our players to concentrate and we managed to have a good match although we missed several scoring chances,” said Jordan coach Hassan.

“We had some problems when we played with 10 men as we wanted to maintain our dominance after having a good lead.

“I want to thank our players for their efforts and hopefully we can continue working well before the Asian Cup finals.”

Needing to win to overhaul Oman’s two point cushion at the top of the table to head into the March 26 draw in Sydney as Group A winners, Jordan opened the scoring after 24 minutes as Bawab beat Syria goalkeeper MosabBalhous from the edge of the area with a lob after RakanBani Khaled had dispossessed the visiting team before teeing up his team-mate.

Jordan maintained their pressure in the second half and the home side added a second a minute before the hour mark as Bawab skipped past defender Abdulnasser Hassan on the edge of the penalty area before rifling past Balhous.

But Bawab’s joy was short-lived as the Jordan striker was shown a second yellow card during his celebrations.

The national Syrian team , though, were only able to make use of their numerical advantage with 10 minutes remaining as Kharbin controlled a cross from fellow substitute Omro Al Midani on his chest before firing home a first time effort.

“It was a difficult match just as we expected because our opponents were playing at home and in front of their fans and they didn’t want to lose after securing their qualification in the previous round,” said Syria coach Ahmad Al Shaar after seeing his side suffer a fourth defeat of the campaign, which ended hopes of claiming the qualification place available for the best third place finisher, reportsthe AFC correspondent.

“The hardships that we have endured during our preparations affected us especially in the first half. However, in the second period, our performance improved and we scored a goal while we could have had a chance to score another goal.”

M.Daoud