Jordan prepare for 2015 Asian Cup qualifiers

by Aline Bannayan | Jan 13, 2013 | 21:41

AMMAN — The national team is set to meet Indonesia on January 31 as both teams prepare for the 2015 Asian Cup qualifiers starting February 6.

The friendly precedes Jordan’s first qualifier against Singapore on February 6 after they were drawn in Group A with Oman and Syria. The national team’s March 22 match against Syria was postponed to August 15 as requested by the Jordan Football Association.

The rescheduling will give Jordan more time to prepare for their World Cup qualifier against Japan on March 26, before playing Australia on June 11 and Oman on June 18.

“All is set for the Indonesia match which will be held at King Abdullah Stadium in Quweismeh,” team manager Osama Talal told the local media.

Jordan ended 2012 in 94th spot in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The ranking came after their first round exit at the West Asian Championship which was won by Syria.

The Kingdom was represented by younger players mainly from the U-22 team as others who were on World Cup qualifiers duty, including star goalie Amer Shafie, were dropped. Jordan lost 1-0 to Iraq and 2-1 to Syria and exited the event.

The late regrouping of footballers playing abroad who were also not given ample playing time in their respective clubs and possibly the ageing line-up of players were cited as reasons for the team’s declining form by some analysts.

In Round 4, Group B FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying, Jordan lost 2-1 to Oman and 1-0 to Iraq which complicates their chances of possibly reaching the World Cup. With another three matches to go, Jordan drew 1-1 with Iraq, lost 6-0 to Japan and scored a historic 2-1 win over Australia.

The Jordanian team joined the continent’s top 10 qualifying teams in the final qualifying Round 4 for the first time since taking part in the qualifiers back in 1985.

 http://jordantimes.com/jordan-prepare-for-2015-asian-cup-qualifiers