The match started at a high tempo, with Jordan threatening to score in the 20th minute, as Hadi Omar Ahmed took a chipped pass from a teammate and fired a right footed shot from the right side of the box. However, goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung showed his excellent reflexes rescuing the Vietnamese side with a smart save.
The Golden Stars immediately responded with a powerful strike from outside the box by Nguyen Hoang Duc.
In the following minutes, Jordan proved more effective and faster in turning from defence to the attacking status.
Ahmed Ismail’s troops utilised Vietnam’s defensive holes to close in on an opening goal a number of times. Forward Mohammad Aburiziq missed twice with a header over the bar and a close-range shot comfortably blocked by Tien Dung.
The right flank proved to be a weak point in Vietnam’s defence system, as Do Thanh Thinh again failed to stop Ward Al Barri who burst down and curled a cross into the centre of the box. Luckily enough for the Golden Stars, Yazan Al-Naimat placed a headed inches off the post.
In the 36th minute, coach Park Hang-seo decided to put Tran Dinh Trong onto the field in replacement of Thanh Thinh, seeking to strengthen Vietnam’s defensive line. Such substitution promptly helped Vietnam’s defence to improve its quality in the blocking situations.
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At the beginning of the second half, Ha Duc Chinh came off the bench making Vietnam’s attacking situations more diverse.
Tien Dung was forced to make another save a few minutes after halftime, as Ward Al Barri blasted a frustrating free-kick, forcing the Vietnamese keeper to parry the ball instead of catching it.
With time running out, Vietnam poured constant pressure on the Jordanian goal seeking to break the deadlock. However, Tien Linh and Duc Chinh could not capitalise on the created opportunities to find the back of the net.
The goalless score remained unchanged until the final whistle, keeping Vietnam at third in Group D with two points, two behind the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
In another clash earlier on the same day, the UAE finished off the DPR Korea with two unanswered goals to temporarily lead the group, placed above Jordan on goal difference.
Vietnam will play their last group match against the DPR Korea on January 16. A win is a must for Park Hang-seo’s side to stand any chance of advancing to the knockout round.
