<p>Jordan’s hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance remain alive after they beat Oman 1-0 here on Tuesday to book a qualifying playoff against Uzbekistan in September. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Striker Ahmad Ibrahim scored the winning goal in the 57th minute, stooping low to head home a cross from Khalil Bani Ateyah that drew wild celebrations at the King Abdullah Stadium.<br /><br />The victory, in the last of the Asian group stage matches, meant Jordan leapfrogged Oman into third place in Group B on 10 points, one ahead of Paul Le Guen’s side. Jordan will now take on Uzbekistan, who finished th<br />ird in Group A, with the first leg to be played on September 6 and the second on Sept 10. <br /><br />The winners advance to play another two-leg playoff against the fifth-placed South American side in November for a place at the finals. <br /><br />Few predicted Jordan would still be in contention after they were hammered 6-0 away to Japan in their second group match last year, but they defied their FIFA ranking of 75th with strong performances at home. <br /><br />Having despatched Australia and Japan in Amman, Jordan knew another three points were required against Oman to claim the playoff berth but they started Tuesday’s match in scratchy fashion. <br /><br />US stay on top<br /><br />The United States maintained their push for a World Cup berth with a third straight victory in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying after Jozy Altidore’s late strike saw off a stubborn Honduras 1-0 on Tuesday. <br /><br />Altidore’s 73rd minute goal was the difference between the teams at Rio Tinto Stadium as the home side were rewarded for their domination to complete a trio of June fixtures with a 100 percent record after wins over Jamaica and Panama. <br /><br />Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges scored second-half goals as Costa Rica earned a 2-0 win against Panama to maintain their hold on a place for an automatic qualifying place.<br /><br />The US head the six-team group on 13 points from six matches with the top three qualifying automatically for Brazil and the fourth-placed side, currently Honduras on seven points, facing New Zealand in a two-legged playoff for a finals berth. <br /><br />Costa Rica have 11 points from six matches while Mexico are in the third with eight points from six games. <br /></p>
<p>Jordan’s hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance remain alive after they beat Oman 1-0 here on Tuesday to book a qualifying playoff against Uzbekistan in September. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Striker Ahmad Ibrahim scored the winning goal in the 57th minute, stooping low to head home a cross from Khalil Bani Ateyah that drew wild celebrations at the King Abdullah Stadium.<br /><br />The victory, in the last of the Asian group stage matches, meant Jordan leapfrogged Oman into third place in Group B on 10 points, one ahead of Paul Le Guen’s side. Jordan will now take on Uzbekistan, who finished th<br />ird in Group A, with the first leg to be played on September 6 and the second on Sept 10. <br /><br />The winners advance to play another two-leg playoff against the fifth-placed South American side in November for a place at the finals. <br /><br />Few predicted Jordan would still be in contention after they were hammered 6-0 away to Japan in their second group match last year, but they defied their FIFA ranking of 75th with strong performances at home. <br /><br />Having despatched Australia and Japan in Amman, Jordan knew another three points were required against Oman to claim the playoff berth but they started Tuesday’s match in scratchy fashion. <br /><br />US stay on top<br /><br />The United States maintained their push for a World Cup berth with a third straight victory in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying after Jozy Altidore’s late strike saw off a stubborn Honduras 1-0 on Tuesday. <br /><br />Altidore’s 73rd minute goal was the difference between the teams at Rio Tinto Stadium as the home side were rewarded for their domination to complete a trio of June fixtures with a 100 percent record after wins over Jamaica and Panama. <br /><br />Bryan Ruiz and Celso Borges scored second-half goals as Costa Rica earned a 2-0 win against Panama to maintain their hold on a place for an automatic qualifying place.<br /><br />The US head the six-team group on 13 points from six matches with the top three qualifying automatically for Brazil and the fourth-placed side, currently Honduras on seven points, facing New Zealand in a two-legged playoff for a finals berth. <br /><br />Costa Rica have 11 points from six matches while Mexico are in the third with eight points from six games. <br /></p>