The only goal in this matchup separated the two sides.
Bahrain defeated Jordan 1-0 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Thursday, with Abdullah Yusuf scoring the only goal of the match, as Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side emerged as Group E winners of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. advanced to the top 16.
Yusuf’s goal 11 minutes before half-time gave Bahrain their second win in three games, taking them to the top of the table with six points and ahead of fellow South Korea and Jordan, who also qualified.
The result means Bahrain will face four-time champions Japan in the next round, but Jordan will advance as one of the best third-placed teams, with their opponents to be revealed later on Thursday.
Jordan entered the game as the top of their group, but striker Moussa Al Tamari started on the bench as coach Rusanin Anmuta made five changes after drawing 2-2 with South Korea in their previous match.
Anas Baniyaseen’s shot in the 14th minute missed Ebrahim Lutfallah’s goal, and Bahrain midfielder Mohamed Maroon hit a looping shot, but Yazeen Abraila easily scored the goal in the 15th minute.
Yazeen Al Naimat went even closer to the Jordanian and moments later sent a snap shot across the goal.
It took until the 34th minute to break the deadlock, which Bahrain did well.
Yusuf timed his run perfectly from the halfway line, reacting to Komail Al Aswad’s pass through the middle and closing in on goal, curling his right-footed shot into the bottom corner of Abu Laila’s goal.
Four minutes later, Mlada Boleslav’s striker was sent in behind the Jordanian defense again, but while Baniyasheen initially recovered, possession went to Malhoun, who fired a shot from inside the six-yard box. I managed to cut it above the bar.
Bahrain came out looking to extend their lead in the second half, Ali Madan’s shot went over the bar and Malhoun was nearly hit with a lofted pass over the top of the Jordan defence, with the ball being whipped in by the wary Abu Laila. .
Jordan rarely threatened and Ali Orwan was at the forefront with a header into Lutfallah’s hands just after the hour mark, but Abulaila was again on standby in the dying moments as Bahrain snatched a point. He blocked Yusuf’s free kick.
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