Jordan lodged a formal protest yesterday after claiming a bungled doping test had made one of their players vomit.
Striker Ahmad Hayel could miss tomorrow’s game against Palestine after he was made to drink “several litres of water” as a result of being unable to provide a urine sample following Monday’s 1-0 defeat by Iraq.
It caused him to vomit and feel dizzy, according to the Jordanian FA and a team doctor said the test had to be cancelled.
The AFC insisted that the proper protocol had been followed, but Jordanian FA general secretary Fadi Zureikat said: “Ahmad Hayel arrived at the hotel after the doping test (in a) semi-coma, and with hypothermia. The doping control room was too cold. The player was given water to drink for four hours.
“Hayel began vomiting (and received) no medical care presence from the AFC. No ambulance was called for the player. He was suffering low blood pressure, and we had to take the player back to the hotel by private car, in a wheelchair, while he was unconscious.”
Jordan must beat Palestine to stay in the competition, while Japan can tie up top spot in the group with a win over Iraq.
But star player Keisuke Honda is taking nothing for granted. He said: “If we keep battling and go about things the right way the results will follow. We just need to focus on taking three points (against Iraq).”