World Cup drama as Jordan win marathon shoot-out

Jordan won a marathon penalty shoot-out 9-8 Tuesday to down Uzbekistan in Asia's World Cup play-off in a dramatic match which was also interrupted by a floodlight failure. After the two sides were locked at 1-1 after extra time, hosts Uzbekistan missed their first two spot-kicks before hauling themselves back into the shoot-out. But Anzur Ismailov, scorer of Uzbekistan's goal in normal play, was the fall guy as he missed the decisive kick which sent Jordan into a play-off against an as yet undecided team from South America. Uzbekistan's early opener from Ismailov had been cancelled out just before half-time by Saeed Murjan, and in a tense second period neither side could find the clincher. But there were farcical scenes when, 10 minutes into the first period of extra time, the floodlights failed at the venerable Pakhtakor Stadium, prompting jeers and a delay of 18 minutes. Both teams were forced to leave the field for an interruption that was so long that players and officials were seen doing warm-up stretches before the game restarted. Jordan will now play the fifth placed team in South American qualifying -- currently Uruguay -- home and away in November for a place at next year's World Cup in Brazil. Source: AFP