Winning start for Jordan in AFC Futsal Championship 2018 Qualifiers
Bangkok: Jordan began their 2018 AFC Futsal Championship West Zone Qualifiers campaign with a 3-1 win over Qatar at the Bangkok Arena on Friday.
It didn't take long for Jordan to open the scoring, with Samer Samih's (pictured above) long range pass into the box being tapped into the goalmouth by Ahmed Amer Samara in their first attempt in the second minute.
The pace of the game changed after the goal as Jordan eagerly searched a second goal while Qatar increased the pressure looking for an equaliser.
In the sixth minute, Qatar's Erhama Ahmad was booked for an aggressive tackle, and Samer made no mistake in doubling their lead with a free-kick from 15 metres.
Fifteen minutes into the match, Said Ghulamnabi reduced Qatar's deficit with a free-kick which sailed into the top left of the goalmouth.
Qais Mohammad Shabib could have scored Jordan's third goal in the 29th minute when he dribbled past the Qatar defence and goalkeeper but saw his shot hit the left post. The deflected ball landed in front of him, but his shot struck the post a second time before being cleared.
Several minutes later, Yusef Ahmed infringed the four-second rule, rewarding Ahmed Rashid's side an indirect free-kick from the goal line, but Qatar failed to capitalise.
Jordan's one-touch passes were a sight to behold and it was only a matter of time before they scored.
Samer scored his second in the final three minutes, courtesy of Ahmed Abdelalrhman's accurate passing.
Salah Mohd Yusri: Jordan Head Coach
"We are extremely happy to win our first match. In a three-team Group B, every match is important, and it was good that we started with a win. I have much respect for Qatar as a team and for coach Ahmed. Now we look ahead against Lebanon, and they are strong as well, which is why it was important to win this match to have a better chance to qualify."
Ahmed Rashid: Qatar Head Coach
"In the beginning we had to play patiently because in an important qualifying match like this, we have to analyse our opponents. Jordan is a good team that scored with a few chances, althought we had more opportunities, we didn't score. Now we have to win against Lebanon if we want to have a fighting chance."
Photos: Football Association of Thailand
Source: the-afc.com
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