Group leaders Jordan visited Singapore looking to maintain their lead atop Group A. Jordan took control from the start, scoring just ten minutes into the match. Great play from from Singapore goalkeeper Mohamad Izwan saved the match from getting out of hand. A few Jordanian chances were pushed aside, and the visitors enjoyed a mere 1-0 advantage at the break.
Jordan capitalized by scoring off a flicked-on header from a powerful free kick not quite ten minutes into the half. Nine minutes later, Ahmad Ibrahim made a mad dash through three Singapore defenders before rolling a ball into the bottom left corner of goal from 18 yards out. Jordan would hold onto to win by a 3-0 scoreline. Jordan were dominant throughout the match and look ready to assume a place among the Asian powers if their high level of play can translate into success during Round Four, a place in which they have almost assured themselves.
China welcomed Iraq into their home in Shenzhen. China applied all the early pressure, but the Iraqi defense held tough. Iraq began playing the long ball, which worked to perfection in the final minute of the first half as captain Younis Mahmoud played a great one-two-one with Mustafa Kareem, leading to a Mahmoud finish for a 1-0 lead at the half.
China were of course on the attack from the get-go in the second period, and Iraq's strategy to put up a defensive shell took a huge hit when they lost defender Basem Abbas to a second yellow card around midway through the second half. The referee should have used better discretion, for he threw Abbas out of the match merely for throwing the ball away from the spot of the Chinese corner kick a second after having been whistled for the foul. In spite of this, Iraq were able to hold strong in defense for a 1-0 road victory.
Jordan 9 pts +6
Iraq 6 pts +1
China 3 pts -1
Singapore 0 pts -6
Goals
Jordan
Abd Allah Deeb 11
Anas Bani Yaseen 54
Ahmad Ibrahim 63
Iraq
Younis Mahmoud 45
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-msaeDALoJE&feature=relmfu (Jordan v. Singapore)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Ccq0-9eVE&feature=related (Iraq v. China)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07T_y_9gcA (Iraq v. China)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_07T_y_9gcA (Iraq v. China)
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