Jordan is about to face the host nation Qatar this Saturday of their first-ever Asian Cup ultimate, with Qatar aiming to grow to be the second staff to win back-to-back titles on this century.
The Jordanian staff stunned everybody by beating South Korea 2-0 within the semi-finals, whereas Qatar secured a 3-2 win towards Iran in an exhilarating match.
Match preview
Initially, it appeared like Jordan was up towards a a lot stronger staff within the semi-finals, however they proved everybody unsuitable by maintaining the South Koreans underneath stress for the complete sport.
Hussein Ammouta got here up with an excellent technique, which his staff applied flawlessly, stopping the Korean staff from getting any photographs on the right track. The Korean staff, identified for its sturdy attackers and ranked twenty third by FIFA, 64 spots forward of Jordan, couldn’t break by means of Jordan’s protection.
Jordan has improved its protection after a dramatic victory towards Iraq (3-2) within the final 16, reaching two consecutive clear sheets.
Jordan prefers fast-paced counterattacks over sustaining possession, having lower than 50% possession in 5 out of their six Asian Cup video games. They misplaced the one sport the place they’d extra possession than their opponent (1-0 loss to Bahrain).
Jordan has reached the finals of two Asian tournaments this century however misplaced each. Their final win in a aggressive ultimate was towards Iraq on the 1999 Arab Video games, profitable on penalties.
Jordan’s 2-1 victory towards Qatar in a pleasant in the beginning of January was their first win towards them because the 2008 West Asian Soccer Federation Championship semi-finals (3-0).
Qatari followers loved an thrilling semi-final at Al Thumama Stadium, with the sport filled with alternatives and suspense till the very finish.
An early objective by Iran put Qatar behind in an Asian Cup sport for the primary time because the 2015 group stage. Nevertheless, they managed to win their first sport on this competitors in regular time after conceding first.
Qatar’s objective within the 82nd minute was sufficient to get rid of Iran, who, regardless of being a participant quick, almost equalized within the ultimate moments.
Qatar is the primary host nation to succeed in the ultimate since Australia in 2015 and goals to be the eighth host to win the trophy. Solely China, in 2004, has misplaced the ultimate at house.
Tintin Marquez has led his staff to seven straight wins since shedding to Jordan final month, scoring in 10 consecutive matches.
A victory on Saturday would make Qatar solely the fourth nation to retain the title within the event’s historical past, and the primary since Japan in 2004.
Jordan Asian Cup type: W D L W W W
Qatar Asian Cup type: W W W W W W
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Jordan made 4 adjustments for his or her semi-final win, with Bara’ Marei, Nizar Al-Rashdan, and Mohammad Abu Hasheesh stepping in for Salem Al-Ajalin, Rajaei Ayed, and Ali Olwan.
Ihsan Haddad may play his seventy fifth sport for the nationwide staff on Saturday, and Mohammad Abu Zrayq is aiming for his twenty fifth look.
Yazan Al-Naimat and Musa Al-Taamari scored their third targets of the event on Tuesday, whereas Yazid Abulaila secured his third clear sheet.
Salah Zakaria remains to be injured and is perhaps the one participant unavailable for Qatar within the ultimate.
Qatar launched two new gamers of their beginning lineup towards Iran, with Yusuf Abdurisag and Homam Ahmed changing Hassan Al-Haydos and Tarek Salman.
Jassem Gaber scored his first worldwide objective, Almoez Ali added his second of the event, and Akram Afif scored his fifth, only one behind Aymen Hussein for probably the most on this event.
Jordan attainable beginning lineup:
Abulaila;
Nasib, Al-Arab, Marei;
Haddad, Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh, Abu Hasheesh;
Al-Taamari, Olwan;
Al-Naimat
Qatar attainable beginning lineup:
Barsham;
Ro-Ro, Mendes, Mukhtar, Waad;
Gaber, Fatehi, Al-Haydos, Ahmed;
Ali, Afif
Prediction: Jordan 1-2 Qatar
Finals will be unpredictable, and we anticipate a decent match with each groups taking part in cautiously.
Each groups have proven they will win in numerous methods all through the event, however Qatar has a slight edge with gamers who can create one thing particular, usually the distinction in such matches.