Asian Cup 2019: Defending champions Australia shocked by Jordan

Anas Bani Yaseen's first-half header enough to give Jordanians victory in Al Ain

Chris Ikonomidis, right, competes for the ball with Khalil Bani Attiah during the Asian Cup Group B match between Australia and Jordan at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Getty Images

Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi, front, makes a save during the Asian Cup clash. AP Photo

Australia defender Milos Degenek, right, in action during the Asian Cup clash. AFP

Australia defender Aziz Behich, left, and Jordan forward Yousef Al Rawashdeh in action. AP Photo

Chris Ikonomidis reacts during the Asian Cup Group B match between Australia and Jordan. Getty Images

Matthew Jurman of Australia is tackled by Mousa Suleiman of Jordan. EPA

Jordan midfielder Yasen Al Bakhet, left, fights for the ball with Australia defender Ryan Grant. AP Photo

Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan makes a save. AP Photo

Jordan's defender Salem Al Ajalin, right, clears the ball next to goalkeeper Amer Shafi. AP Photo

Australia head coach Graham Arnold, right, gives instructions from the sidelines. AP Photo

Graham Arnold head coach of Australia reacts as his side head to defeat. EPA

Australia's defender Aziz Behich holds the ball as Yousef Al Rawashdeh lies on the ground. AFP

Yaseen Bakheet, right, of Jordan tussles with Tom Rogic of Australia. EPA

Jordan midfielder Khalil Bani Ateyah, right, tackles Australia's defender Joshua Risdon. AFP

Jordanian fans cheer for their team during the Asian Cup clash between Jordan and Australia. AFP

Australia manager Graham Arnold has told his team to use their surprise defeat to Jordan as a "wake-up call" as the defending champions lost their opening 2019 Asian Cup match in Al Ain.

Anas Bani Yaseen's powerful first-half header proved the difference in this Group B contest as Australia failed to break down Jordan's stubborn defensive ranks.

Australia, who had 76 per cent of possession but only six shots on target, were thwarted by a brilliant double save from Jordan's Amir Shafi in the game's dying moments.

It left the injury-hit Aussies with much to ponder ahead of Friday's game against Palestine, when they will need a win to get their campaign up and running.

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Arnold, who led Australia to the 2007 quarter-finals in his first stint as manager, called the goal "sloppy" and rued a slow start at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

"It was one of those days, a frustrating day when the ball just didn't seem to bounce," he said. "If you're going to lose a game, it's better to lose your first game.

"It's a wake-up call ... it's all about where we can improve. We'll get over it very quickly."

Jordan manager Vital Borkelmans, who said he targeted Australia's midfielders Massimo Luongo and Mark Milligan, and exploited the space left by their advancing backs, hailed his hard-running team.

"I told them today, 'God gave you something', and today they were playing for the people of Jordan," said Borkelmans. "They were running like they had three lungs."

Australia bossed the opening exchanges but their Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan made the first save when he kept out Yousef Rawashdeh at his near post after Luongo was dispossessed.

The youthful Socceroos had plenty of possession in the opposition half but rarely threatened, while Jordan were intent on breaking Australia's flow and seeking chances on the break.

Their goal came from a corner on 26 minutes, when defender Bani Yaseen escaped Luongo's marking and put a thumping header into the top corner, prompting jubilation in the strongly pro-Jordan crowd of just under 5,000.

Suddenly Australia were rocking and three minutes later, they were grateful for Ryan's finger-tip save as he pushed Baha Abdelrahman's free kick onto the bar.

In the second half, Arnold brought on Rhyan Grant and then Chris Ikonomidis to find a way through Jordan's defence.

Celtic forward Tom Rogic's stinging shot was kept out by Shafi, before Ikonomidis's attempt at a follow-up was smothered by the defence.

Rogic passed up an opportunity for the equaliser on 72 minutes, when he was free in the box but scooped his shot well over from Aziz Behich's cross.

Six minutes later, the lively Mabil smashed one off the upright with Shafi beaten, before Ikonomidis's header was scrambled off the line.

Jamie Maclaren had a goal chalked off for offside and with the last action of the game, Shafi denied both Ikonomidis and Jackson Irvine, capping Australia's misery and triggering joyful celebrations among the Jordanians.