SINGAPORE (7 Feb 2013) – Team across ASEAN did not have the best of start in their first qualifying matches of the 2015 Asian Cup when none could pick up at least a point in their opening campaign.
With no teams from the ASEAN region able to qualify for the last edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, there was some expectation that this time round at least one or two of the heavyweights will begin their crusade on the right note.
But after Thailand falling to a 3-1 loss to Kuwait at home at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, it was soon followed by Vietnam’s 2-1 defeat to the United Arab Emirates at their own den of the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi.
Later in the evening, ASEAN champions Singapore were thrashed 4-0 by Jordan as neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia fell to 1-0 and 2-0 losses to Iraq and Qatar respectively.
The Lions, who picked up their fourth ASEAN crown in December last year, fell behind in the 18th minute when Amer Deeb found the back of the net in the game that was played at the King Abdullah International Stadium in Amman.
Khaled Bani Atiya then gave Jordan their second goal of the game just seven minutes after the restart before a brace from Ahmed Hayel (in the 55th and 74th minute) put the match beyond reach of the Singaporeans.
The islanders’ next game in the group will be against Oman on 14 August 2013 at home at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
In the meantime, a solitary strike from Younis Mahmoud in the second half denied Indonesia from picking up their first point in Group C.
In the match that was played at the Al Rashid Stadium in Dubai, Iraq – the 2007 Asian Cup champions – struggled to get the ball behind the Indonesian backline as the score remained scoreless till the breather.
But in the 66th minute, Iraq made sure of the full points when Younis fired in the only goal of the game for the win.
Former ASEAN champions Malaysia, also failed in their bid for a positive start to their campaign when they crumbled in the second half to concede a 2-0 loss to Qatar – the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts.
After fighting bravely to fend keep the score intact in the first half, Ibrahim Al Khalfan nailed the opener in the 55th minute before the Qataris then added the second goal off Yusef Ahmed deep in injury time for the win.
ASEAN TEAMS in ACTION – 6 February 2013
Group A: JORDAN 4 SINGAPORE 0 (King Abdullah International Stadium, Amman)
Group B: THAILAND 1 KUWAIT 3 (Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok)
Group C: IRAQ 1 INDONESIA 0 (Al Rashid Stadium, Dubai)
Group D: QATAR 2 MALAYSIA 0 (Al-Sadd Stadium, Doha)
Group E: VIETNAM 1 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2 (My Dinh National Stadium, Hanoi)
