Jordan, playing in their first World Cup game ever, delivered a spirited performance in front of 68,000 fans at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, but were doomed by two late defensive mistakes that handed Austria a 3-1 win.
The game, which kicked off at 9 p.m. local time, was tied until the 75th minute when an in-swinging corner from Marcel Sabitzer ricocheted off Jordanian defender Yazan Al-Arab for an own goal.
The Austrians later added a third in the 98th minute via a Marko Arnautović penalty after a video review found that defender Salim Obaid illegally touched a ball with his arm while sliding to stop a cross.
The result sees Austria move to second in Group J, behind only Argentina, who beat Algeria by three goals in Kansas City.
The Jordanians spent most of the first half pinned in their own side of the field, but picked up more momentum as the game went on and the crowd largely rallied behind them.
Striker Ali Olwan, who hadn’t played in four months, scored his nation’s first goal of the tournament in the 49th minute, cutting beautifully in from the left to level the score with his right foot.
“No one was expecting us to be that bold, that proactive,” said Jordan manager Jamal Sellami. “This was the message we wanted to convey to the viewers. The name of our team [Al-Nashama] means being able to be patient and bold. This is the true characteristic of our national team.”
Playing behind for much of the game, the Jordanians were forced to play mostly in transition, whereas the Austrians, with their glut of Champions League caliber central midfielders, were more comfortable in possession, but lacked a consistent vertical threat.
Until the go-ahead score, the Jordanians had actually outshot their European counterparts nearly four to one. The nation’s best player, Musa Al-Taamari, of Rennes in France, drove at the Austrian backline multiple times.
“Jordan was an extremely uncomfortable opponent,” said Austria coach Ralph Ragnick. “We knew they were going to be tough, but what they displayed today was very brave football.”
Austria were led onto the field by Captain David Alaba, who at 33 years old, is seeing his career at Real Madrid wind down. The left-footed defender showed off his prowess in possession but was replaced in the 58th minute by Tottenham’s Kevin Danso.
Former England international Carney Chukwuemeka also made his World Cup debut for Austria after successfully switching national teams earlier this year.
Jordan will not have to go far after tonight’s result. The team will play in Santa Clara again on Monday against Algeria before flying to Dallas to take on Argentina.
“We are proud,” Sellami said. “We are here to learn, benefit, and provide the best image of our nation…
I think the result does not reflect the effort made by the team.”
