Jordan takes on S. Arabia in 2nd friendly

AMMAN — Jordan plays Saudi Arabia in Dammam on Monday in the second friendly of the week as the team tries to finalise the line-up ahead of international qualifiers.

The results of the two friendlies are vital in deciding Jordan's FIFA ranking and the team's position among Asian teams ahead of the draw for qualifiers for the 2019 Asian Cup. The qualifying process will double as part of the qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

Head coach Ahmad Abdul Qader hopes to put the team’s competitive edge back on track after they were eliminated from the Asian Cup earlier this year. Jordan went down 1-0 to Syria on Thursday in the first of two friendlies despite having pros playing on the line-up including Hasan Abdul Fatah and Abdullah Theeb.

The coach acknowledged the team's mistakes in the Syria match. "There were decisive errors that we are fully aware of. We have undergone a transition and the team's inconsistency needs to be tackled," Abdul Qader said.

He noted mistakes were highlighted and that "players were determined and serious in their approach and fully understand what’s needed in the upcoming phase”.

Abdul Qader previously led the U-19 team to Jordan's best achievement of fourth place and qualification to the U-19 World Cup in 2007, while his assistant Islam Diyabat led the U-22 team to a bronze medal in the inaugural 2014 AFC U-22 Championship after beating South Korea.