Suarez not taking Jordan lightly
AMMAN:UruguayandLiverpool star Luis Suarez has warned his national side against complacency when they take on Jordan in their World Cup playoff in Amman today.
Suarez flew on a private jet to Amman for the first leg match that has captured the imagination of Jordanians hoping for an upset victory that could help their nation qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in history. “Jordan will be very motivated to play us, just as teams are when they meet us in the World Cup and the Copa America,” said Suarez.
“We have to be careful. We know Jordan have fast outfield players and if you leave space, they could show their quality.”
The South Americans are no strangers to the World Cup, having won the tournament twice, in 1930 and 1950. At the last event in South Africa in 2010, they finished a creditable fourth after losing to the Netherlands 3-2 in the semi-finals.
The Jordanians are well aware the odds are stacked heavily against them, but that has not stopped them from getting into a celebratory mood.
Fifa vice-president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein hopes the ‘Nashama’ will spare no effort in their two matches against Uruguay. “It is a source of pride for Jordanians that our team has reached this far with the meagre resources we have,” he said.
The Jordan team has come in for some negative press in recent times with reports dwelling on the new Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan’s uneasy relationship with some players and lastminute changes to the line-up.
The hosts have been hit by suspensions with star goalkeeper Amer Shafie sitting out, while Mohamed Dmeiri and Anas Bani Yasin are on the injury list. Jordan will be also missing midfielder and captain Amer Deeb, who has been surprisingly left out by the coach.
Hassan is calling for a gallant last-ditch effort from the players.
“Jordan are the last Arab team representing Asia. It’s an Arab effort and not a Jordanian effort,” said Hassan.
Australia, South Korea, Iran and Japan are the four teams from Asia who have qualified for Brazil 2014. – Sapa-AFP