Jordan stun Socceroos
Australia have succumbed to an inspired Jordan side 2-0 in Amman, losing their first World Cup qualifier on the road to the 2018 World Cup.
Hasan Abdel-Fattah's 47th minute penalty stunned the Socceroos before Hamza Al-Dardour sealed a famous victory for Jordan with six minutes remaining.
The result repeated Australia's defeat in the Jordanian capital during their previous qualifying campaign - and gives Jordan the top spot in Group B that also features Bangladesh, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan played out a 2-2 draw with Kyrgyzstan yesterday.
While the result is undoubtedly a setback to their qualifying hopes, Australia retain control of their destiny. The Socceroos have four matches remaining - including three at home and the other in Bangladesh the first group stage and four victories would secure passage.
Meanwhile, Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud rescued a point for Iraq with a last-ditch penalty as the former Asian champions drew 1-1 with Vietnam in Hanoi.
Palestine also needed a late equaliser as they drew 1-1 with Timor Leste in Group A, while North Korea dropped their first points in Group H when they were held to a goalless draw by the Philippines in Pyongyang.
In Dili, Timor Leste were on the verge of a famous win over Palestine, who are 40 places above them in the FIFA World Ranking, when Ramon Saro headed them ahead in the 54th minute.
However, Palestine salvaged a point when substitute Ahmed Abu Nahyeh hooked the ball in from close range in the second minute of stoppage time to keep them in third place in Group A behind leaders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
North Korea's perfect start in Group H came to an end when they were surprisingly held 0-0 at home by the Philippines.
In other early matches on Thursday, Singapore downed Afghanistan 1-0 in Group E with a 72nd minute header by Khairul Amri, while goals by Hassan Maatouk and Abbas Atwi gave Lebanon a 2-0 win over Myanmar in a Group G game in Bangkok.
Maldives picked up their first points in Group C after withstanding a late fightback to win 4-3 at Bhutan.
Ahmed Nashid's opening goal and an Ali Ashfaq hat-trick gave the visitors a four-goal advantage before Bhutan reduced the deficit in the final five minutes.
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