Jordan win again to surge past Socceroos

The Socceroos are now precariously placed in their qualifying group for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after Jordan extended their lead in AFC Group B overnight.

The Jordanians moved four points clear of Australia after beating Tajikistan 3-0 on home soil, although the Socceroos have a game in hand.

Ange Postecoglou’s side succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Jordan last week, their first since going down to Korea Republic in the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup in January.

The result at the Amman International Stadium sees Jordan, ranked 99 in the world, remain undefeated in the group as they bid to qualify for a first FIFA World Cup.

There were some familiar faces on the scoresheet for Paul Put’s side in the capital with Hamza Al-Dardour (2) and Hassan Abdel Fattah – both of whom scored against the Socceroos – doing the damage.

Jordan now have 13 points from five games, while the Socceroos are four points adrift having played one game less.

Kyrgyzstan are just one point behind the Socceroos on eight after they claimed a 2-0 win over Bangladesh in the group’s other match on Tuesday.

It means the Socceroos can ill afford another slip up when they face Kyrgyzstan in Canberra next month, while Australia’s home clash against Jordan on the final matchday looms as likely to decide who tops the standings.

The eight group winners and four best group runners-up in AFC qualifying will advance to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification on the road to Russia 2018.