Three-time champions Saudi Arabia made a humiliating exit from the Asian Cup yesterday after losing 1-0 to Jordan in their second Group B match.

The Saudis fired coach Jose Peseiro following the opening loss to Syria, but bringing in Nasser al-Johar for his fifth stint in charge failed to turn things around.

Despite dominating the first half, Saudi Arabia went behind in the 42nd minute when goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah allowed Baha' Abdelrahman's deep cross from the left to float over his head and into the corner of the net.

Substitute Nassir Alshamrani had a good chance to equalize for the Saudis in the 76th when he was clean through, but Jordan goalkeeper Amer Shafi was out quickly to smother the shot. Osama Al Harbi then headed narrowly over in injury time.

Al Johar took over the Saudi side in similar circumstances in 2000 and managed to lead the team to the final, but this time his short reign seems likely to be over after the last group game against Japan — a repeat of that 2000 final.

Meanwhile, Jordan's win, which follows an opening draw with Japan, leaves them with a good chance to match their quarter-final run on their debut in 2004. The team, coached by Adnan Hamad, plays Syria in their final game.

Ten-man Japan beat Syria 2-1 to stay unbeaten at the Asian Cup.

Japan moved to the top of Group B on goals scored. They and Jordan each have four points, one more than Syria. Only the top two advance to the quarter-finals.

Midfielder Keisuke Honda scored the winner from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute after a foul on striker Shinji Okazaki.

Japan midfielder Makoto Hasebi opened the scoring off a pass from Daisuke Matsui in the 35th, but Syria striker Firas al-Khatib leveled with a penalty in the 76th.

Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was sent off in the 72nd for fouling striker Sanharib Malki.

Syria were also reduced to 10 in injury time when Nadim Sabag received a second yellow card.

“It was not a tough game,” Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni said. “With 10 players we played like with 11 players.”

Zaccheroni said the team recovered from the embarrassing 1-1 draw against Jordan on Sunday in the opening match and showed improvement.