Doha: Three-time champion Saudi Arabia made a humiliating exit from the Asian Cup on Thursday after losing 1-0 to Jordan in their second Group B match.
The Saudis fired coach Jose Peseiro following the opening loss to Syria, but bringing in Nasser al-Johar for his fifth stint in charge failed to turn things around.
Despite dominating the first half, Saudi Arabia went behind in the 42nd minute when goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah somehow allowed Baha' Abdelrahman's deep cross from the left to float over his head and into the corner of the net.
Substitute Nassir Alshamrani had a good chance to equalize for the Saudis in the 76th when he was clean through, but Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi was out quickly to smother the shot. Osama al-Harbi then headed narrowly over in injury time.
Al-Johar took over the Saudi side in similar circumstances in 2000 and managed to lead the team to the final, but this time his short reign seems likely to be over after the last group game against Japan — a repeat of that 2000 final.
The coach insisted Saudi Arabia "didn't fail" and that Jordan's "lucky" goal was typical of his side's fortune.
"In general the team was very good," Al-Johar insisted. "I think you saw throughout the match we played very well and we had several opportunities to score but we were not lucky.
"This is football, and maybe we'll do better in the future. We will try to play a good final game against Japan. We still have confidence in our team."
Jordan's win, which follows an opening draw with Japan, leaves them with a good chance to match their quarterfinal run on their debut in 2004. Depending on the result between Japan and Syria later on Thursday, Adnan Hamad's team could qualify even before it plays its final group match against Syria.
"We played a very difficult team," Adnan said. "But I would like to thank my team for their outstanding performance and I would say we have so much more to do. Our expectations are getting bigger and we are aiming (to win) the tournament."
Questioned about his defensive tactics, Adnan said his team had played in a "realistic way."
"I respect Al-Johan and the Saudi Arabia team, they're a big team and to beat them is a big accomplishment for the Jordan team," he said. "We played with discipline, but they created a lot of chances, and I think luck has to do with it too."
Al-Johar made four changes to the team against Jordan and reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, and his side made a strong start, cheered on by some enthusiastic fans inside the Al-Rayyan Stadium.
Al-Harbi headed straight at the goalkeeper from close range following a corner in the first minute, and Naif Hazazi — one of the players brought in by Al-Johar — was denied by a leaping save by Shafi in the 16th.
In an eventful half for the tall and powerful striker, Naif shot inches over from just inside the box and just failed to connect with an inswinging cross as the opposition focused almost exclusively on defence.
The breakthrough would not come though, and the Saudis were hit by a sucker punch just before half time when Abdelrahman's floating cross caught Waleed off his line, although the goalkeeper at least ensured his side went in at the break with only a one-goal deficit when he saved at the feet of Jordan's dangerous forward Odai Al Safy.
Al-Johar sent his players out for the second half in determined mood, and they again enjoyed plenty of possession. Taiseer al-Jassam shot over from long range, while Naif headed wide, before Nassir beat one defender, played a neat one-two, but then could not beat the alert Shafi.
The Saudis pumped the ball forward time and again as time ticked down, but despite missing injured captain Hatem Aqel from its defense, Jordan held out to record a famous win over a team ranked fifth in the Asian Confederation.
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