FIFA Arab Cup - Q-final: Jordan hold off Iraq to advance

Al Rayyan: Jordan staved off a spirited fightback attempt from Iraq to secure a 1-0 win in their FIFA Arab Cup 2025 quarter-final at Education City Stadium on Friday.

The result meant that Jordan set up a tantalising semi-final meeting with Saudi Arabia - who defeated Palestine 2-1 - on Monday.

World Cup-bound Jordan almost got off to a flying start through Yazan Alnaimat’s back-flick from Mahmoud Almardi’s corner in the opening minute but Iraq custodian Ahmed Basil made a smart one-handed save.

Jordan suffered a setback when the influential Alnaimat had to be stretchered off with a knee injury in the 15th minute, with head coach Jamal Sellami opting to send on Odeh Fakhoury in his place.

Despite seeing their key attacker go off injured, Jordan took the lead in the 41st minute when Ali Olwan tucked home his penalty after a VAR review deemed Almardi’s header to have struck Mustafa Saadoo’s arm.

Iraq were let off the hook four minutes later when Fakhoury had a goal ruled out as Olwan was offside earlier in the move with the match remaining tight at the break.

Graham Arnold’s Iraq displayed better attacking threat in the second half with an Ahmed Maknazi header going wide before Ali Jasim produced a stunning 25-yard strike which Yazeed Abulaila had to tip over the bar.

Jasim became increasingly influential as the game went on, drawing another superb save from Abulaila in the 70th minute from a low strike from the edge of the box.

Iraq’s second half dominance was, however, without its rewards as Jordan held firm to progress to the semi-finals.

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images

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