Jordan readies to play Iraq in Asian Cup opener

AMMAN  — Jordan’s national team is all set to play Iraq on Monday in the 16th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 2015 Asian Cup which opened in Australia on January 9.

Jordan will play in Group D which includes Iraq, Palestine and Japan with four-time titleholders Japan being the clear contender to lead the group and possibly win the Cup, with the second qualifying spot from the group resting upon Jordan’s opening match against 2011 champs Iraq.

In the latest FIFA World Rankings Jordan dropped 12 spots to 93rd. Other group ranks are: Japan (54), Iraq (114) and Palestine (115). 

A total of 16 teams, including nine Arab teams, are set to compete in the Asian Cup this year with matches set to be played in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle.

Teams include, Group A: Australia, South Korea, Oman and Kuwait.

Group B: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, China and North  Korea.

Group C: Iran, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.

Since first taking part in Asian Cup qualifiers in 1971, this will be Jordan’s third time at the Asian Cup finals — twice reaching the quarter-finals in 2004 and 2011.

Jordan played 10 friendlies in preparation for the Asian Cup and failed to win a single match and drew twice. The latest string of results caused further uneasiness for fans and officials alike. 

Under coach Ray Wilkins, Jordan lost six matches and drew once. Jordan lost 1-0 to both Bahrain and the UAE, and 2-1 to Uzbekistan. Earlier they lost 1-0 to both Estonia and South Korea, lost 1-0 and drew 1-1 to Kuwait, held China 1-1, lost 2-0 to Uzbekistan and 3-0 to Columbia. 

For Arab teams, it is Kuwait’s 10th time in the finals. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar qualified nine times, Iraq eight times, Bahrain five times and Jordan and Oman three times each. Palestine will take part for the first time. 

In the past 15 finals, Arab teams have won the title five times — Saudi Arabia won three times, Kuwait and Iraq once each.

Jordan Asian Cup record 

Previous appearances in finals: (2) 2004, 2011.

Best performance: Quarter-finals 2004, 2011.

Drawn in Group D with Iraq, Japan and Palestine.

Coach: Ray Wilkins

Former England international and Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan midfielder was surprisingly appointed in September.

Key player: Ahmad Hayel. Age: 31. Forward.

Hayel is a talented forward who plays his club football in Kuwait for Al Arabi. He missed the 2011 Asian Cup so will be determined to make up for it in Australia.

He has played over 80 games for Jordan and scored some memorable goals, including a brilliant individual effort in the 2-1 win over Japan in 2014 World Cup qualifying.

FIFA World Rankings December 2014: 81

© Reuters