Austria didn’t exactly cover themselves with glory at the start of the World Cup, but they did get their first three points against Jordan thanks to an own goal and a penalty.
In the 3-1 (1-0) win in San Francisco, Romano Schmid from Werder Bremen took the lead with a Sunday shot in the 21st minute and was the Austrians’ first World Cup goal in 28 years. But Jordan showed a strong performance on its World Cup debut and equalized after the break (50th) thanks to Ali Olwan’s equally impressive goal. An own goal from Yazan Al-Arab (77th) and a hand penalty from Marko Arnautovic (90th + 12th) converted deep into stoppage time gave Austria victory – even if it was quite flattering.
“It was the tough game we expected“, said team boss Ralf Rangnick, “Jordan did really well and made life difficult for us. We actually only got into our game halfway through the second half. In the end we deserved to win, but it was a very, very difficult piece of work.“
Rangnick relies on numerous Bundesliga professionals
In the run-up to the tournament, the Austrians were repeatedly mentioned as the secret favorites. The euphoria and also the hopes in our own country are huge at the first World Cup participation since 1998. At the beginning, however, Jordan made things difficult for the ÖFB team’s starting eleven, which was full of eight Bundesliga professionals.
After just a few minutes, the outsider provided a sample of his switching game, but Ehsan Haddad only hit the side netting after a counterattack. As usual, Austria appeared powerful when the opponent had the ball, started energetically and then quickly got their first shots. In the last third of the attack, however, there was a lack of accuracy and the compact Jordanian offensive hardly allowed anything to happen.
Ali Olwan in a duel with Nicolas Seiwald
Schmid hits the crease beautifully
What was much more astonishing was the determination with which Sellami Jamal’s team acted when winning the ball and making final moves. When Odeh Al-Fakhouri’s slightly deflected shot from 20 meters from a central position, Alexander Schlager had to do a brilliant job (17). Only shortly afterwards, Austria’s keeper saw how the people in front of him gave the favorite the lead. Xaver Schlager fed Schmid centrally in front of the penalty area, who used his free space and shot the ball into the corner with his right inside – a dream goal to make it 1-0.
Jordan was by no means shocked by the setback and had a great chance to quickly equalize in direct response: After a short corner, Olwan headed the ball over Schlager and onto the crossbar (22′). A good ten minutes later, Austria’s keeper had to save again from Olwan in desperate need, and Philipp Lienhart blocked Mousa Al-Taamari’s no less dangerous follow-up shot with his back.
Austria, on the other hand, hardly had any chance of finishing. In the first half alone, the opponent only allowed four shots and came dangerously close to goal more often. The only thing the Jordanians lacked was precision or concentration. This was also the case with Al-Taamari, who did not hit the ball properly after successfully dribbling against Schlager and Philipp Mwene (45th + 1).
Olwan writes Jordanian football story
Rangnick reacted to the lack of penetration and substituted record scorer Arnautovic for the hard-working but luckless Sasa Kalajdzic at the break. But initially little went together offensively with the 37-year-old Sturmtank. Instead, Jordan made history with his first World Cup goal. After Schlager lost the ball, they quickly moved forward again on the left side before Olwan beautifully shot the ball into the far corner from the left penalty area with the help of the inside post.
Ali Olwan before his goal against Austria
Even this hello-wake moment should not initially free Austria from its passivity and lack of ideas. Only after an hour and a triple change, including captain Alaba and midfielder Schlager having to leave the field, was there a structured attack on the left side again. Stefan Posch shot his shot a meter over after a cross. And when the ball was in the net, the celebration was short-lived: Arnautovic had scored after a corner in the hustle and bustle of the penalty area to make it 2-1, but referee Dahane Beida conceded the goal due to a handball from Posch.
Arnautovic forces Al-Arab’s own goal
Jordan’s “no-name troupe”, only Al-Taamari plays in Europe, had sold expensively to date. And yet they fell behind a little later – and this time the goal counted. Again it was a corner that flew dangerously into the penalty area. Arnautovic didn’t hit the ball properly with his head, but he pressured Al-Arab so much in the duel that he headed the ball into his own goal.
Jordan bravely pushed forward again in the final phase. The attitude was intact, but the wear and tear of strength was noticeable. The actions became more and more imprecise. Arnautovic could have eliminated the last doubts early on, but was denied by Abdulaila from close range. The veteran made up for it deep into stoppage time when he safely converted a hand penalty that was given according to video evidence. Jordan’s Obaid had previously blocked the ball with his arm as he shot.
Austria now against the world champions
Austria continues on Monday (7 p.m. CEST live on ARD and Sportschau live stream) in Arlington against world champions Argentina. The defending champion had won confidently against Algeria just a few hours during Messi’s record show. The North Africans are Jordan’s next opponents on Tuesday (5 a.m. CEST).