DUBAI: Jordan’s World Cup debut ended in a 3-1 loss to Austria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday morning, despite a brave performance that promised a potential point for the newcomers.
The loss leaves the Arab nation in third place in Group J, while Austria sit second on goal difference behind Argentina, who earlier had beaten Algeria 3-0 thanks to a Lionel Messi hat trick.
Jordan had started their first-ever participation in the competition in confident fashion, as if undaunted by the historical magnitude of the occasion.
The men of Moroccan coach Jamal Sellami initially packed their backline when defending but looked to find the twin danger men of Mousa Al-Taamari and Ali Alwan when breaking forward.
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup finalists had the first real chance of the night when Odeh Fakhoury, who plays his club football for Pyramids in Egypt, stung the hands of Austria goalkeeper Alexander Schlager with a fine effort from outside the penalty area.
