Jordan surprise Australia with win in World Cup qualifying

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:11 am
Jordan's Oday Zahran holds off Australia's Tommy Oar on Thursday.
Khalil Mazraawi/AFP/Getty Images

Jordan scored twice in the second half to upset continental champions Australia 2-0 on Thursday and move atop Group B in the second round of Asian qualifying for the World Cup.

The result, in front of a passionate home crowd in Amman, gave Jordan a one-point lead over the Socceroos with four games remaining.

Jordan's pace troubled the Asian Cup winners for most of the game and the hosts took the lead two minutes into the second half when Hassan Abdel Fattah blasted a penalty high into the Australian net after a Matthew Spiranovic foul in the area.

With five minutes remaining, Hamza Al Dardour sealed the win for Jordan, who also defeated the Socceroos in qualification for the 2014 World Cup.