The biggest match in history for the Jordan national football team, but it ends with a whimper and no hope to qualify and reach the 2014 World Cup, as Uruguay made the most of their chances to come up with a 5-0 win, getting first half goals from Maxi Pereira and Christian Stuani, followed by Nicolas Lodeiro, Cristian Rodriguez and a brilliant free kick finisher from Edinson Cavani to seal the victory.
No question about it, if there was any before the first leg. Uruguay will be in the World Cup, getting a more than deserved win without looking like they tried too hard. Jordan started with some strong pressure and a couple of chances that didn’t really trouble Martin Silva too much, but the moment the first goal from Pereira went in, it was over.
The defending from the Jordanian defense was poor all around, and any ball crossed into the box caused mayhem. Uruguay didn’t attack with numbers, simply hanging back and waiting for Jordan to make mistakes, and hit at them on the counter attack. Odai Al Saify made a mess of a simple tackle for the second goal for Uruguay, who simply had to wait for the victory to come to them. Jordan didn’t have much but speed on the front, but no sophistication or creativity. Every time they turned the ball over, Uruguay found an opportunity to put the ball in the net.
Al Saify, who was taken off later in the match, was probably in charge of the best chance Jordan created all match as one of his crosses took a dangerous swerve towards the goal, forcing Silva to make an effort for the first and only time during the match.
Jordan lost four times on their away matches in the qualifying campaign, so thinking they have any chance of doing anything in Montevideo is more than wishful thinking. This wasn’t a fair fight from the start, which might be something FIFA need to think about, but in the end it doesn’t matter. Uruguay came, saw and conquered without even playing to the best of its ability, showing just how big the gulf was between the two sides to begin with.