A late goal by striker Hammadi Ahmed gave a youthful Iraq a vital 1-0 victory over Jordan in World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, thrusting them back into contention for a place in Brazil. Jordan had wasted a number of good chances to break the deadlock before Ahmed took advantage of the space afforded to him on the edge of the area to fire home a fierce 20-metre shot in the 86th minute.
The victory was Iraq's first in Group B of the fourth round of Asian qualifying and moved them on to five points from five matches, one ahead of Jordan and level with second-placed Australia and Oman. Japan lead the way on 13 points after beating Oman 2-1 in Muscat and are heavy favourites to take one of the two guaranteed qualifying berths from the group.
Iraq, forced to play their home matches in Qatar by FIFA because of security issues at home, looked least likely to qualify before Wednesday's match after some disappointing results and without a number of key individuals against Jordan. Brazilian coach Zico named a side full of 20-year-olds who struggled in a dire first half of few chances between two sides who were meeting for the fourth time in this World Cup campaign, having played home and away in the third round.
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