Jordan to play Uzbekistan in friendlies

AMMAN  — Jordan’s national team is all set to play hosts Uzbekistan on Thursday as the team prepares to play two friendlies with the countdown on for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

Following the departure of head coach Hossam Hassan, the Jordan Football Association entrusted coach Ahmad Abdel Kader to lead the team last month and on Tuesday announced the recruitment of Briton Raymond Wilkins as the new technical director. 

Following the Tashkent friendlies, the national team will be joined by Wilkins in China for their September 9 match.

Coach Abdel Kader had announced the final line-up after preliminary round Jordan Cup matches last week and brought back players like Amer Shafie, who had been left out by his predecessor for disciplinary issues.

Samir Mansour, head the JFA’s delegation, was quoted by the local press as saying that the upcoming friendlies are vital for preparing for the upcoming stage. “We are now fifth ranked in the continent and we are aiming for an achievement in our third Asian Cup.”

The JFA is looking to arrange matches aimed at giving the line-up an optimum competitive experience against leading teams as they prepare for their third participation in the AFC Asian Cup.

Jordan last played Columbia in June, losing 3-0 in an important friendly as the squad kicked off a series of high level friendlies.