From Striker to Superfan: Ali Alwan's Stand-In as Iraq Roars Against Jordan
12 December 2025
Match setting and first-half drama
The Iraq–Jordan clash, played Friday evening as part of the 2025 Arab Cup quarterfinals in Qatar, sparked a wave of excitement and energy, both on the pitch and in the stands.
From the stands to the headlines
The Iraqi side trailed 1-0 to their Jordanian opponents, with Ali Alwan calmly converting a penalty in the 41st minute to put Jordan ahead.
Heroes in the stands and the road ahead
Photographers captured Iraqi forward Ayman Hussein in the stands, reacting fiercely to every Iraqi attack and urging his teammates to find an equalizer.
It was evident that Hussein's enthusiasm to support the team remained undiminished by his absence from the squad, as he tried to spark his teammates with every moment, following the match with tense anticipation and reacting to every chance, miss or save. This scene underscored his strong bond with the national side and his sense of duty to his country's colors.
The Iraqi lineup also faced notable absences including Hussein Ali, Shiro Karim, Marco Faraj, and the unavailability of Sajjad Jassim and Ayman Hussein due to injuries.
The winner will face Saudi Arabia in the semifinals, after Saudi Arabia edged Palestine 2-1.
Punchline 1: If football were a model, that penalty would be the cameo that steals the show.
Punchline 2: And if you’re counting, the next round is basically a date with destiny—only with more whistles and less romance.
