Amman: The Socceroos have suffered a blow to their chances of reaching the next stage of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers after slumping to a lacklustre defeat away to Jordan.
The more things change, the more they stay the same - at least that's what Australia discovered after losing on the road to a nation emerging as their bogey team. This time they arrived in Amman as the Asian Champions with a new generation of players embarking on a project to turn Australia into a respected football nation, but just like in 2012, they left empty handed.
Substance won over style as their quick passes, fluid movement and possession-based play amounted to nothing against the pragmatic Jordanians. In the end, it was an aimless long-ball and a quick counter attack that did the damage to a team so professionally drilled, much to the frustration of coach Ange Postecoglou.
"Beat them with a pass," was the order continuously barked during the Socceroos' training this week. Judging from their performance, it was a message heard loud and clear. By contrast, Jordan played only for a result. Their orders? "Just beat them." In the end, only one was successful as the historic minnows of Asian football leapfrogged the Asian champions into pole position in their qualifying group to remain on track for a first-ever World Cup berth.
A bright start amounted to nothing more than long range strikes for Australia before Matthew Leckie should have given his side the lead with a double chance from close range. The Ingolstadt striker was denied by two superb reflex saves from Jordanian keeper Amer Shafi, who made complaints of being stamped on by the Australian in the process.
As Australia strove for control, cracks appeared. Too often where they second best defending counter-attacks, finding few ways through a stifling midfield. For all their clever passing exchanges, they came crashing off the Jordanian backbone like waves off a rock and only the post spared their blushes before the break.
Winger Yaseen Bakheet caused havoc for Australia, twice turning past Jason Davidson before threading a superb ball through a packed box to his striker Hamza Al-Dardour. Even he was surprised for it to land at his feet, rattling the cross bar from point-blank range instead of the back of the net.
After half time, Al-Dardour didn't have to wait long for his moment. A hopeful long ball from Jordan's fullback gave the nimble striker a chance to outpace Matthew Spiranovic and go through on goal, only to be abruptly fouled inside the box. The fans were cheering as if they had already scored before Hassan Fattah stepped up for the spot kick and, without a moment's hesitation, duly tucked it away.
The Australians were rattled as that seamless connection between the midfield and the forward line evaporated and playing out from the back appeared a laboured task rather than a rote-learned manouevre.
The same old story repeated for the Socceroos in the Middle East as the Jordanians camped en-masse with the result inching closer. The stretcher bearer became the most active figure on the field and even Australia's response was predictable - Tim Cahill.
In a shocking move for Postecoglou's style, he abandoned his structure as strikers replaced defenders with Tim Cahill and Tomi Juric introduced in a four-man attack. Cahill fired a trademark header and Milligan forced another fine save from Shafi, but there was no way through.
As Australia pressed in vain for an equaliser, Jordan nailed the coffin shut. Al-Dardour was on the end of another counter attack and calmly slotted one past Adam Federici to seal an incredible victory over the Asian Champions.
The result deflated the Socceroos, who are now second in their group and at risk of missing out on automatic qualification to the next stage with a top spot finish. For Jordan, their destiny is in their hands.
