Olyroos can't crack Jordan code in scoreless cup draw

Australia have been unable to crack Jordan’s defensive code in a scoreless draw to open their U23 Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.

The Olyroos dominated possession on Tuesday (AEST) at Doha’s Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in a tournament where they need to finish third or higher to qualify for the Paris Olympics starting in July.

But Tony Vidmar’s outfit were unable to find a winner despite having 13 shots to three and Jordan playing the final 13 minutes with 10 men.

“The first game of a tournament is always a difficult one,” Vidmar said.

“Against an opponent who was very resolute, very good defensively, (they) made it difficult for us to play our football.”

Vidmar was satisfied to keep a clean sheet and bank one point ahead of games against Indonesia on Thursday and Qatar next Monday.

“It’s the start of our platform for the tournament,” he said.

Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar gives an instruction during the nil-all draw with Jordan. (HANDOUT/AFC Media)

“We know going into this tournament there is not going to be any easy games.”

Vidmar said while the Olyroos controlled the tempo against Jordan, the fixture was a tactical “cat and mouse” battle.

“Jordan are a very well organised team, they defended so well individually, it’s a credit to them,” he said.

“You have to be mindful that you want to get numbers forward, you want to create as many chances as you can.

“But also in the back of your mind (is) that they have two strikers who are excellent on transition, so it’s a little bit of a cat and mouse game for us.

“We want to play football on the front foot but sometimes you have teams that defend well and are well structured.”

A fourth-placing for Australia would result in a play-off against the fourth-placed African nation, Guinea, for an Olympic berth.