Ammon News - AMMONNEWS- Abdallatif Al Bahdari’s goal five minutes from time saw Jordan double winners Al Wehdat beat Shurtan 2-1 at King Abdullah International Stadium and qualify for the AFC Cup quarter-finals.

Rafat Ali had given the hosts an early lead that was cancelled out by Timur Sultanov before Al Bahdari’s late intervention sent Al Wehdat through.

Shurtan arrived in the Jordanian capital with only 15 players and the forward line was especially hard hit with Shakhboz Erkinov sidelined following hernia surgery and Igor Taran also ruled out.

As a result, Shurtan did not field a recognised striker in their starting line-up as Jafar Irismetiv was left on the bench and midfielder Predrag Vujovic was asked to play up front.

The absences told as Shurtan enjoyed as much of the ball as their opponents but they were unable to any scoring chances.

Al Wehdat, on the other hand, threatened regularly and only Georgian goalkeeper Mikhail Alavidze kept Shurtan in the game.

However, he was unable to save his team in the 12th minute when Ali burst into the box from the left to collect a pass and fire past the Shurtan stopper.

However, the visitors drew level 10 minutes later when Sultanov’s fine free-kick from 25 yards found the top right corner of Mahmoud Ali’s goal.

In the second-half, the hosts dominated the encounter but Shurtan coach Edgar Gess still harbored hopes of winning the game.

Gess introduced Sadriddin Abdullaev and then Irismetov, one of the most prolific forwards in the history of Uzbekistan football, but it was the visitors who were next to concede.

A free-kick from near the halfway line found Al Bahdari on the far corner of the box and the defender drove the ball under the bar with five minutes to go to put his side in front.

Shurtan attempted to find a late equaliser but although they pressed hard, were unable to breach the home defence and Al Wehdat progressed to the last eight.