U-16 team hosts the UAE in friendlies

AMMAN — Jordan’s U-16 football team will host the UAE in two friendlies this weeks as they head into the final week ahead of the 5th West Asian Championship kicking off in Amman on July 29 with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Palestine and Jordan competing for the title.

The team increased its training regimen, but some technical issues plagued its preparedness with coach Abdullah Qitati trying to best prepare the line-up on both the fitness and competitive sides, as head coach Eric Deletang took time off earlier this month with the West Asian Championship only a week away. 

In addition, the team played only two friendlies against Palestine which it beat 2-0 after losing the first match 3-2.

Qitati was quoted as saying the past few weeks helped boost the team’s preparedness describing the squad as “upbeat and serious”.

The coach said he hoped the next two matches against the UAE on July 22 and 24 will help the team’s competitive form, adding “we hope officials will succeed in securing additional serious friendlies as they are vital for our upcoming agenda “.

Following the West Asia event, the U-16 might host its Saudi and Syrian counterparts to put finishing touches ahead of Group B qualifiers for the 2016 AFC U-16 Asian Championship, where Jordan will play alongside Nepal, Oman and Kyrgyzstan from September 12 -20 in Kyrgyzstan.

India will host the 2016 AFC U-16 championship with a total of 45 nations, including the hosts participating in the qualifiers, and the draw seeding based on the rankings from the last edition in 2014 won by North Korea. The 45 nations were divided into two qualifying zones — West Zone with 24 teams and East Zone with 21 teams. Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams will qualify for the finals, with hosts India receiving an automatic qualification (total 16 teams). In case India finish top of its qualifying group or among the four best second-placed teams, the next (5th) second best placed nation will qualify for the final competition.

Jordan was eliminated from the 2014 AFC U-16 qualifiers held in Amman after finishing last in Group D. Jordan lost to Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia twice by 2-1, and drew 4-4 with Syria.