Austria opened their FIFA World Cup Group J campaign with a comprehensive 3-1 win over Jordanstrong Austria at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Ali Olwan’s brilliant strike drew the debutants Jordan level after Romano Schmid had put Austria ahead in the first half. Yazan Al Arab’s own goal and Marko Arnautovic’s stoppage time penalty, however, sealed Austria the points.
The Austrians went ahead at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium when Schmid produced a brilliant opening goal, smashing in a shot from distance in the 21st minute.
Olwan’s glancing header a minute later nearly put Jordan level and the West Asian side kept chasing the equaliser in the remaining minutes of the first half, with Mousa Al Tamari also having an attempt saved.
Having closed the first period on the front foot, Jordan immediately went in search of their first ever FIFA World Cup goal and it came in stunning fashion in the 50th minute.
A fast break saw Noor Al Rawabdeh releasing the ball to Olwan, who cut in and directed a superb right-footed shot Austria ‘keeper past Alexander Schlager and off the post.
It was end-to-end action after that but Austria’s physicality saw them edging possession and they regained the lead in the 76th minute thanks to an own goal from Al Arab.
Jordan were unable to mount a fightback and a desperate block from Saleem Obaid saw the ball hitting the defender’s raised arm as former West Ham man Arnautovic stroked home the penalty to make the game safe.
