Graham Arnold’s youthful side had confidently predicted victory in their Group B opener but they were undone by Anas Bani-Yaseen’s powerful first-half header.

Australia, who had 76 percent 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.

Arnold, who led Australia to the 2007 quarter-finals in his first stint as Socceroos boss, 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, adding: “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 coach 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,” he added.

– Finger-tip save –

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

Shortly afterwards, Australia’s former South Sudanese refugee Awer Mabil, in his first competitive international, saw a close-range shot blocked by Shafi.

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.

Watched by the 12 Thai schoolboys rescued from a flooded jungle cave last year after being trapped for more than two weeks, the War Elephants had little answer to India’s brimming energy in Abu Dhabi.

Chhetri moved past Argentine Messi’s 65 international goals when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 27 minutes in a surprise rout. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (85) tops the Indian among active players.

“I’m just happy for the boys — you could see on the faces how jubilant they were after the game,” said 34-year-old Chhetri.

“The India fans were amazing so we hope we can go on and give them something more to cheer about.”

The Blue Tigers were in front for just seven minutes, Thai captain Teerasil Dangda restoring parity by bravely heading home a Theerathon Bunmathan free kick.

But Chhetri came to the rescue by drilling home his second of the game moments into the second half following a lung-bursting run down the right from Udanta Singh.

Things got worse for Thailand when Anirudh Thapa chipped in a third in the 68th minute before substitute Lalpekhlua Jeje completed the rout to leave India as unlikely group leaders.

“Did I expect to win 4-1? No, but we’re not getting carried away,” insisted India coach Stephen Constantine.

“It’s just another game. There will be no issue with keeping the boys’ feet on the ground, don’t worry about that.”

The Englishman, formerly in charge of Malawi, Sudan and Rwanda, has clashed with senior players and sparked dismay in India by stripping Chhetri of the captaincy.

“There’s no controversy about rotating captains!” he snapped when quizzed by Indian media.

“I’ve done it for four years. Chhetri gives everything every game he plays whether he’s captain or not.”

– ‘Totally deserved’ –

India finished runners-up on their Asian Cup debut in 1964 when it was a four-team competition won by Israel.

But they had lost six of their last seven games at the regional tournament, conceding 20 goals, before qualifying for the fourth time and first since 2011.

“If I say it’s just another result would that be a cliche?” said Constantine.

“We’ve won one game, got three points. We have two more games, that’s it.”

Thailand, appearing for the since co-hosting the tournament in 2007, have now won just one of 21 games at the Asian Cup.

Thailand coach Milovan Rajevac made no excuses for this side’s humiliating defeat.

“India totally deserved to win,” said the Serb. “We didn’t underestimate them. They were aggressive and fought for everything. But it’s just one game. We have two more left so we have to learn from our mistakes and go again.”

Hosts United Arab Emirates were held 1-1 by Bahrain in Saturday’s curtain-raiser.

Three out of the country’s top four which are the 66^th ranked Luksika, 532^nd ranked Patcharin Cheapchandej and 607 ranked Bunyawi Thamchaiwat will be absent from the Cup which is due from

6-9 in Astana, Uzbekistan. The latter (Patcharin and Bunyawi) two withdrew with personal reasons.

Only Thai No 2 Peangtarn Plipuech, No 281 in the world, and second string players Punnin Kovapitukted and Watsachol Sawasdee will be available for the zonal qualifiers. China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Pacific Oceania, South Korea and Thailand are in the zone Asia/Oceania Qualifying Group I tie.

Luksika who is preparing for the Australian Open reasoned that she has to focus on WTA events in the US hardcourt swing including two premier tours in Indian Wells and Miami between February and March.

The disappearances of the ace players will affect the Thai team as a nation finishing bottom of the group 1 will be relegated to group 2 next year. Luksika, however, believes, younger players should be allowed opportunities to represent the country.

“We have several rising stars who are strong enough to play and help the country. I believe they are good enough to secure us in group I,” said Luksika. “As for myself, I will come back to play for Thailand in the future. Now I need to focus on my career as I plan to play bigger tournaments on the WTA this year,” she added.

Luksika, who won two WTA 125k series last year, has more than 200 points to defend in the year’s opening Major where she, as a qualifier, reached the third round 12 months ago. Her best results in a slam came at the Melbourne Park where she also emerged in two second rounds between 2013-14.

“Australian Open has always been my lucky Grand Slam and I hope it to continue that way. To be honest I’m a bit worried about so many points to defend. So at this point, I wish for a good draw and win my first round match,” the Thai No 1 said.

Milovan Rajevac

The Serbian needs his team to beat India which should be their best chance to pick up three points as tougher tasks against Bahrain and the host UAE await the Kingdom’s team later on.

“The first match is always very important, especially in a big tournament. We respect India, they have improved over the last few years but we have prepared very well,” said Rajevac. “We want a good result and my team has been focusing on that as we will be taking it one match at a time.”

Despite recent hiccups including the AFF Championship loss to Malaysia in the semi-finals, Thailand are determined to salvage their pride in the Middle East.

“That will motivate us further. We are looking forward to playing not only India but also UAE and Bahrain as we relish our chances of making the knockout stage,” he added.

“India have improved greatly over the last few years. Most of their players are now taller, physically stronger and are improving in every way. I also know the India coach and I know that he is always doing brilliant work. I am sure he has improved India with his knowledge and experience,” the Thai coach said.

The game can be seen live on Channel 7 and Fox Sports HD today at 8.30pm.

Three Wild Boars players as well as their assistant coach, will see Thailand’s opening game against India at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday at the invitation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

There will also be a meet and greet for the group with their national heroes and they will receive a behind-the-scenes stadium tour before experiencing VIP access during what promises to be a decisive contest.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The courage and perseverance of the 12 teenagers and their coach under extremely challenging conditions were a source of inspiration for millions of people across the world.

“Now we have an opportunity to continue this remarkable fairy-tale. Football has the power to bring hope and joy to people of all backgrounds and nationalities and the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 is the ultimate platform on which to celebrate the unity and diversity of our Continent.

“I am confident that the presence of the Wild Boars Academy players will make for an even more memorable tournament and will inspire them to continue their incredible footballing journey.

“During their terrible 18-day ordeal, they demonstrated the power of unity and teamwork and, in the end, they thankfully overcame all the challenges that they faced.”

The invitation is part of a larger two-year support programme from the AFC to the Wild Boars, which will see the club receive technical support as well as training equipment and 100 Molten match balls a year.

In what is tipped to be the final edition of the unique tournament, the best was saved for last as Federer became the first player to win three Hopman Cups, teaming with Belinda Bencic for the duo’s second consecutive title.

For the second year in a row, the Swiss beat the German pairing of Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber by claiming a deciding mixed doubles rubber loaded with drama.

It was Switzerland’s fourth title overall, behind only the United States with six. Federer first won the Hopman Cup back in 2001 when he teamed with Martina Hingis.

The 37-year-old gave the Swiss the early ascendancy with a straight sets win against Zverev, before Kerber squared the tie by beating a dogged Belinda Bencic to set up the mixed doubles decider.

Federer was a dominant figure in an extraordinary doubles match as the Swiss claimed the abbreviated format 4-0, 1-4, 4-3 (5/4) to clinch the title.

Fittingly, it was Federer who served out the match in the third set tie-break, having been unable to do so earlier in the set, when after an extended rally Zverev dumped a backhand into the net to hand the Swiss victory.

– High-octane –

In the men’s singles, Federer bounced back from a November loss to Zverev in London to beat the big-serving German 6-4, 6-2 and make it a clean sweep of his singles matches in Perth for the second year running, less than two weeks before he defends his Australian Open title.

It was a high-octane match, with plenty of big serves and clean winners, but Federer was able to answer everything the 21-year-old threw at him.

He broke Zverev in the 10th game of the first set and then tightened the noose on the German, with two more breaks in the second set.

Federer, who also beat Zverev in three sets in last year’s Hopman final, clinched the match with a typically crisp forehand volley.

He was pleased to maintain his unbeaten singles record during the week, during which he never dropped his serve.

“I am happy I was able to maintain the good, high quality tennis I showed all week,” he said.

“It is good to finish on a singles performance like this, I was able to come up with some good serve and volley and it all worked out today.”

World number two Kerber appeared set for an easy win in her singles match against Bencic, taking the first set and then claiming an early break in the second.

The German served at 5-4, but the match took a sudden twist as Bencic broke back, only for Kerber to immediately break again.

For a second time Kerber was unable to serve out the match, as Bencic forced it to a tie-break.

Kerber had two match points at 6-4, but Bencic again hung on grimly and won the next two points.

It wasn’t until Kerber’s third chance that a backhand winner secured the 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) win.

Critical was Kerber’s ability to convert all four of her break points during the match, while Bencic was only successful on two of seven.

Kerber praised Bencic’s tenacity, saying she was always a determined opponent.

“She was fighting until the last one (point),” she said.

The 26-year-old Thai is riding high on confidence after securing his Tour card last week and will spearhead a strong local charge at the fifth edition of the ฿4 million (approximately US$121,700) event which will be staged at the Rancho Charnvee Resort and Country Club.

The popular Asian Development Tour (ADT) event hosted by Thai legend Boonchu Ruangkit will also be graced by Thailand’s leading players like Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thongchai Jaidee, Poom Saksansin and Jazz Janewattananond, who are all winners on the region’s premier Tour.

Gunn successfully made the mark after carding a stunning 10-under-par 61 in the final round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School to take second place last week. With his game in good shape, the Thai feels optimistic in his chase for his maiden victory on the ADT since joining the play-for-pay ranks in 2011.

“My game feels pretty solid, especially coming off a good finish last week. After playing on the Japan Tour and the PGA Tour of China I have gained a lot of experience and I know more about my flaws,” said Gunn, who split his time between playing in Japan and China last season.

“Boonchu (Ruangkit) is one of the greatest Thai players in his generation that has achieved so much success so I really look up to him. I am looking forward to playing there next week and a win will be a huge boost,” added Gunn.

Armed with course knowledge since he last played the event in 2016 and supported by his girlfriend Koyy on his bag, Gunn will be a strong contender for the prestigious trophy which has been kept at home since the inaugural edition in 2015.

“The key to that course is good putting and putting yourself in a good position on the greens to make birdies. The course is wide open with a lot of slopes on the greens. But I have a better game plan for this year and I am ready to kick start a good season,” said Gunn.

Other notable names in the field include former ADT Order of Merit champions Pannakorn Uthaipas and Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, American duo Casey O’Toole and Johannes Veerman will also be part of the 144-men field vying for victory as the battle for the Order of Merit crown begins.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season.

Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

Thai martial arts legend Nong-O Gaiyanghadao will square off against China’s Han Zi Hao for the inaugural ONE Super Series Muay Thai Bantamweight World Championship.

Considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, Nong-O has captured nearly every accolade in Muay Thai. He made his first appearance at the famed Rajadamnern Stadium when he was just a teenager and won. That set off an incredible run of success.

The icon has competed in over 300 professional bouts. During that time, he claimed two Thailand National Muay Thai Championships, four Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Championships in different divisions, and a Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Championship.

Now, Nong-O looks to cement his place among the world’s best strikers in ONE Super Series by attempting to win the greatest prize in martial arts — the ONE World Title.

Despite being just 23 years of age, Han has been pursuing his martial arts dreams for over a decade. The Chinese athlete began training in Sanda at the age of 12, and then moved to Bangkok in pursuit of the world’s best Muay Thai training. He has lived in the Thai capital for over 10 years now, training and competing in “the art of eight limbs” while building an impressive record along the way.

In February 2018, Han scored his biggest win to date when he stopped Petchboonchuay FA Group. Now, he has become a breakout star in ONE Super Series. Han is riding a three-bout win streak, and he looks to extend it — and capture the gold — at ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS.

The Qasioun Eagles take on Palestine on Sunday in their first game of the Asian Cup group stage, hoping to make up for the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the World Cup finals in Russia last year.

Their qualification has thrilled Syrians in government-held territory, but angered fans in rebel areas who accuse the national team of playing for a regime they detest.

After last year’s disappointment, national team member Muayyad Ajaan said he was determined this time would be different.

“The pressures and the pains of war have had a positive impact on our spirits. We’re determined to make the Syrian people happy,” he told AFP.

“Our qualification is a victory for everyone.”

The team’s participation in the Asian Cup has particular significance as Syria remains banned from hosting international fixtures.

Maria Barud, 29, who works at a clothes store in Damascus, said she and others were in desperate need of some joy after gruelling years of war.

“I never thought a day would come when I remembered the name of a football player, but I’ve remembered all the names of players in the Syrian team,” she said.

“I follow what matches are when, and even bought the team shirt.”

– ‘Doesn’t represent me’ –

After years of devastating conflict that has killed 360,000 people and displaced millions, the regime today is back in control of two-thirds of the country.

“I no longer see it as just a rough boys’ game. It’s become a sensitive national topic,” Barud said.

“We dance when the team wins, and cry when it loses.”

Syria reached an advanced stage in qualifications for the 2018 World Cup, only to be denied at the last hurdle with a defeat to Australia.

Syria will face the Socceroos again in the group stage of the Asian Cup, as well as vying with Palestine and Jordan for a place in the knock-out phase.

In late December, the national squad’s last training session in Damascus drew thousands of fans.

In the stands, supporters held up their mobile phones to film or snap pictures of the players, under posters of President Bashar al-Assad and his father Hafez.

But not all Syrians are so enthusiastic.

In areas that escape regime control, football fans are damning of a team they say only represents the government.

“The team doesn’t represent me in any way whatsoever,” said Rami Mohammed, a resident of the northern rebel-held town of Azaz.

“How am I supposed to cheer on players who support a murderer?” the 23-year-old asked.

After a series of Russia-backed regime victories around the country, many Syrians have fled their homes to territory still under opposition control in the north of the country.

– ‘Huge responsibility’ –

Yunes Shasho, who also lives in Azaz, says he could not support the national team.

There are “players still in regime jails, while their colleagues play under the picture of Bashar al-Assad,” said the 31-year-old.

Throughout the conflict, several players have distanced themselves from the team — but some have since returned.

Assad met national players in October after the World Cup qualifiers, posing for photographs with them and signing their red-and-white team shirts.

The squad included Firas al-Khatib, who had previously voiced support for the rebellion, although he will be absent from the Asian Cup due to an injury.

Syria’s team for now will focus on surviving as a long as possible in the newly expanded Asian Cup, which includes 24 instead of 16 teams this year.

The Qasioun Eagles, named after a mount overlooking Damascus, will face Palestine in their first game on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma said he and his teammates were determined  to do well.

“People need to come together” despite the war, he said.

Mohammed Barafi, a computer shop employee in Damascus, said he was excited.

“This team is the best Syria has produced, because it is born of the crisis and its sufferings,” he said, referring to the war.

“For the players, the match will not just be a game,” said the 24-year-old.

“They carry a huge responsibility… the responsibility of making the people happy.”

Thailand must win their Asian Cup opener against India on Sunday to restore their confidence following recent hiccups that have their fans worried.

The Kingdom have reset their focus to reach the knockout stages of the quadrennial competition after their title defence in last month’s AFF Suzuki Cup crumbled with a loss to Malaysia in the semi-finals.

As a regional powerhouse with dreams of one day reaching the World Cup Finals, anything less than the AFF title was therefore deemed unacceptable by their supporters.

Milovan Rajevac’s ultra-defensive game came under scrutiny it failed to bring home the trophy for the third time running, even though his side never lost a game in the tournament,.

Qualifying for the round of 16 in the United Arab Emirates is therefore a chance for the Serbian to prove that his preferred cautious approach really suits the War Elephants.

This is the biggest competition for Asian teams after the World Cup: Thailand’s best finish in six previous campaigns was third place, when the Kingdom hosted the event in 1972.

Since then it has failed to qualify five times and reached five Cup finals, never doing better than seventh.

If Rajevac’s team fail to make it out of Group A the coach would almost certainly have to pack his bags as Thai FA chief Somyot Poompanmoung has already announced that reaching the knockouts is the minimum required for him to keep his job.

Wednesday’s 2-0 loss to Oman in a behind-closed-doors warm-up raised even more concerns about where the team is at – it came despite Thailand being strengthened by the return of key players Teerasil Dangda (striker), Chanathip Songkrasin) midfielder) and Theerathon Bunmathan (left back).

Rajevac admitted he was disappointed by the loss to Oman but still saw some positives as it gave him the chance to give playing time to all 23 players in his before Sunday’s Cup opener.

“We divided them into two groups and everyone got a chance to compete,” said the 65-year-old coach.

“I was impressed by a few scoring opportunities we created according to our game plan but we just couldn’t capitalise on them.”

Rajevac has instructed his players to put that setback behind them and focus on the Group A match against India, which kicks off at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abhu Dahbi at 8.30pm (Thailand time) and will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Sports HD.

“I already pointed out the flaws to the players in a meeting,” Rajevac added. “But we must forget that game in order to concentrate on Sunday. We will do everything to start this tournament with a good result.”

Compared to Bahrain and hosts UAE, the other nations in Group A, India should not provide much of a headache for Thailand.

They will probably need to win on Sunday and draw one of their two other games to progress in second place or as one of the four best third-placed teams that will make up the round of 16.

Only a win on Sunday will rekindle the confidence of the players amid rumours of locker room restlessness as they begun to wonder if they really fit into the coach’s system.

One thing is for sure: defeat on Sunday would not only spell the likely end of Thailand’s Middle East campaign but the job of their coach too.