It was a contest of two losers from their opening matches. Two losses means that your Asian Cup is over, while a win in this situation simply means you live to fight another day. For Palestine, this was going to be an uphill battle. They hadn't beaten Jordan since 1976. The start was a bit of a cagey one as it took over half an hour for the first goal. It came in the 33rd minute off the brilliant, bending strike of Yousef Ahmad, and Jordan found themselves ahead. Just two minutes later, an errant pass by Palestine found Jordan again on the attack. Abdallah Deeb's low pass would find Hamza Al Dardour for the 2:0 lead. Hamza would score a second goal off of a centering cross that he would tap in just before the halftime whistle. Al Dardour would go on to score twice more in the second half, for a total of 5 Jordanian goals. Jaka Hbaisha would put one back for Palestine in the 85th minute off a free kick that was deflected straight up in the air by the wall. Unfortunately, that would be all she wrote for the Palestinians who have the consolation match of playing Iraq before heading home.
Palestine 1:5 Jordan
IoannesNix: Palestine 0:1 Jordan
Scriptor: Palestine 0:2 Jordan
Artifex: Palestine 3:2 Jordan
Praeceptor: Palestine 1:1 Jordan
Quaesitor: Palestine 0:2 Jordan
Japan vs Iraq was the nightcap in Australia. The two teams had a win each from their first match, and were fighting for top spot in Group D. Keisuke Honda would try to strike first for Japan, but his header beat Iraqi keeper Jalal Hassan only to find the post. Just moments later, fluid play by Japan would set up a close range shot by Shinji Kagawa, but Hassan would be up for the save. As the ball trickled back out into play, Keisuke Honda would be pulled down by Ali Adnan. The referee would award Japan a penalty kick. Honda would slide the goal home going to the keeper's left as Hassan guessed right. Some more shots by Japan would be unlucky and bounce off of a post, or go just wide. That would be all she wrote, as Japan would win this thanks to that penalty kick.
Iraq 0:1 Japan
IoannesNix: Iraq 0:3 Japan
Scriptor: Iraq 1:3 Japan
Artifex: Iraq 1:2 Japan
Praeceptor: Iraq 1:0 Japan
Quaesitor: Iraq 2:3 Japan
Yesterday's Bonus Bonanza question dealt with Scriptor's 7th birthday which fell on a Sunday. While Scriptor was excited for his special day, the rest of America was celebrating SuperBowl XXII. The final of the contest was the Washington Redskins 42, and the Denver Broncos 10. Great job Artifex in answering correctly. You have won the Bonus Bonanza point.
Please note, there has been an error in score keeping. Bonus points awarded for picking the correct score were erroneously being added to your score twice. As a result, we have amended the scores. The affected players are Praeceptor, who now sits 2 points in last place, and Artifex and Scriptor, who are tied on 14 points apiece. Artifex's superior bonus point count moves her into second place. IoannesNix loses two points, but remains in first place.
STANDINGS:
15/5
14/4
14/2
9/2 YC
6/3 YC
Today's matches saw the middle way point of the tournament reached. Japan's one goal victory was the 16th match. Only 16 matches remain to determine who is the Asian Champion. Newcomer Quaesitor is showing some signs of nerves. It's ok Player, this is your first time at the little dance. Our reigning World Champion sits in last place, clearly off of a World Cup hangover. It's ok, when you're champion of the world, the Asian Cup is only a Wafer Thin. As for our first place contestant, well done IoannesNix. You are doing your Asian heritage proud.
The Grand Salmon Alpaca
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