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After a disjointed first-half performance from Australia created by Jordan's constant harrassing, the determined hosts scored two second-half goals to leave the Socceroos sitting down in equal third in the group.

Hassan Abdel-Fattah converted a 50th minute penalty after Mile Jedinak appeared to make marginal contact to concede the spotkick, before Amer Deeb netted on the counter-attack to seal a famous three points for Al Nashama.

Substitute Archie Thompson gave Australia a lifeline on 85 minutes with his second goal in two internationals but ultimately it proved to be mere consolation.

Osieck made only one change from the side which accounted for Lebanon 3-0 last Thursday, with Brett Holman coming in for Nikita Rukavytsya, while he persisted with new midfield pair Matt McKay and Mark Bresciano.

And it was Australia who had the first clear chance after Robbie Kruse's good work down the right, cutting the ball back for Tim Cahill who scuffed his shot from close range straight at Jordan keeper Amer Shafi.

After a fierce opening 10 minutes, the Socceroos were dealt a blow with Sasa Ognenovski forced out of the game after suffering a hamstring injury, with Matt Spiranovic replacing him.

Jordan's Mohammad Mustafa fired well over the bar from range on 17 minutes, while Cahill bobbled a header on target from Alex Brosque's cross minutes later.

Odai Al Saify's mishit 20th minute cross forced Mark Schwarzer into action for the first time, tipping the ball over the bar.

On the half hour mark, Amer Deeb worked a short corner with his dangerous ball glanced narrowly wide by Lucas Neill under pressure from Shadi Abu Hashhash, while minutes later the hosts had a penalty shout turned down when Cahill blocked a free kick with his arm inside the box.

Aston Villa attacker Holman broke into the box on 35 minutes, but his curling effort was deflected safely through to Shafi.

Two minutes after the break, Mile Jedinak – who had come on at the interval for Bresciano – headed wide from a Luke Wilkshire free kick with the goal beckoning.

However, five minutes into the second half the hosts had the lead when Jedinak tripped Al Saify on the left side of the penalty area, before Abdel-Fattah pushed his spotkick just past Schwarzer who guessed the right way.

Following the goal Jordan began to sit back allowing Australia more attacking possession and several corners, with Jedinak almost poking home from a 62nd minute set piece with Shafi making a crucial block.

On 65 minutes, the lively Kruse whipped in a cross for Brosque to force a wonderful save from Shafi.

Jedinak almost made up for his penalty-conceding tackle when his dipping long-range effort cannoned into the post on 71 minutes.

Two minutes later, despite Australia's pressure, Jordan had the cushion of a second goal on a fast counter-attack with Al Saify driving forward past Lucas Neill before his cutback found Amer Deeb to squeeze home.

It could have been 3-0 shortly after when Abdel-Fattah set up Deeb who lifted his shot over Schwarzer but marginally over the crossbar.

On 85 minutes, Thompson gave Australia hope with his strike, collecting the ball off Brosque before a fine finish to ensure a tense finale.

Jordan substitute Hamza Al Dardour forced a save from Schwarzer, before Cahill's angled header was collected by the impressive Shafi as the game headed towards its conclusion.

Kruse had a glorious chance to level in stoppage-time after Shafi's poor clearance and Cahill's cutback but the Fortuna Dusseldorf man's effort lacked power and direction.

Australia's next qualifier is on the road to Iraq in Doha on October 16, while second-placed Jordan are away to Oman.

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