Jordan and Uzbekistan drew 1-1 on Friday in the first leg of their World Cup Asia zone qualifying playoff.
The teams played in Amman on what was described by commentators as a “terrible pitch,” resulting in a “scrappy” game, according to Reuters news agency.
Jordan, managed by Egypt's all-time leading scorer Hossam Hassan, scored first in the 30th minute as midfielder Musab al-Laham neatly slotted home, despite the Uzbeks initially having a bright start to the game.
They then grabbed a vital away goal five minutes later when their captain Server Djeparov exchanged passes with Jasur Khasanov before firing home a low left-foot drive from inside the area.
The second leg will take place in Tuesday in Tashkent, where the winner will advance to take on the fifth-placed South American side in the intercontinental playoff for a berth in Brazil.
(With Reuters)
