AMMAN, Jordan - China lost 2-1 to Jordan in a World Cup Asian zone Group A match here on Tuesday.

China's players fight for the ball with Ahmed Hayel of Jordan (C) during their 2014 World Cup Asian zone qualifying football match in Amman September 6, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

The Chinese team, which enjoyed an upper hand throughout the match, suffered from a superb long-range shot from Baha Suleiman at the 49th minute and a defensive error 6 minutes later which resulted in the second goal for the host team.

Yet the Chinese team quickly narrowed the gap to 2-1 through Hao Junmin at the 56th minute.

The Chinese team then pushed further forward, trying to find the equalizer. They did have a handful of chances but their finishing touch were not good enough for them to convert the chances into goals.

It was only the second game for China's Spanish coach Jose Antonio Camacho who had a winning start at the post with a 2-1 win over Singapore.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iraq registered an away victory of 2-0 over Singapore.

After the first round of matches, Jordan leads the group with 6 points, followed by China and Iraq with 3 points each. Singapore is at the bottom with two defeats.

The top two teams from each of the five groups will qualify for the final round of World Cup Asian zone qualification tournament.