Jordanians flock to support national team at opening match of U-17 World Cup

AMMAN — The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2016 will inspire young girls to play football and give them the courage to conquer any nerves about the game, football fans said on Friday.

Jordanian families, girls and boys headed in large groups towards Amman International Stadium on Friday to attend the opening ceremony of the tournament and cheer for the national team, which lost the opening match against Spain 0-6 (see story on page 16).

Fans were treated to a fireworks display and a musical performance by singers Hussein Salman and Carole Samaha, who performed the competition’s official song.

HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association, Spanish footballer Xavi Hernández and FIFA representatives attended the opening ceremony and the match, along with some 14,347 fans, according to FIFA’s official report. 

The match was the first time Jordan ever participated in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and some fans said the large number of spectators who filled the stalls to cheer for the national team offered hope that women’s football could gain popularity in the Kingdom. 

Rania Halawa, 17, said the competition would have a positive impact in inspiring children and giving them ambition. 

“This will make them overcome any fear they suffer from... I do not see any challenges here [in Jordan], but girls are afraid of playing football,” she told The Jordan Times outside one of the gates to the Amman International Stadium ahead of the match. 

Taimaa Habboul, a young footballer who came to the stadium to cheer on the Jordanian team, said that in the past, no one accepted the idea of watching girls plays football, but the tournament could change that. 

“A big event like this will make families change their perceptions of this game... they will see the great support girls are receiving from officials and from Prince Ali. They will change their minds and encourage their daughters to play football,” she added.

Mohammad Daher, another football fan, expressed pride that Jordan had been chosen to host a World Cup tournament. 

“This is a source of pride for us to have Jordan hosting such a prestigious competition, and the idea of having a World Cup in Jordan has encouraged me to watch a match for girls,” the 22-year-old added.

Mohammad Shathili, another Jordanian who came to watch the match with his family, said the competition would also boost the national economy, noting that vendors selling flags and jerseys would profit. 

Hamzah Awdat, who came with 15 relatives from Petra, 235km south of Amman, said he wanted to join his family to watch the match at the stadium to show support for the national team.

“This is the first time Jordan and the region organises this event, so we came to support Jordan and show that the Kingdom is capable of hosting this competition,” he added.

Zeyad Imtar, who arrived at the stadium with his wife and son, said the competition is beneficial for the local community and young players who would have access to a wide range of pitches thanks to the training venues that were constructed and rehabilitated during the preparations for the tournament.

In other matches on the opening day, 2016 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship winner Germany beat Venezuela 2-1, while Mexico thrashed New Zealand 5-0 at Al Hassan International Stadium in Irbid, 80km north of Amman, and Canada beat Cameroon 3-2 at Amman International Stadium. 

Spain’s Lorena Navarro is the championship’s top scorer so far, after scoring five goals against Jordan during the opening match.

On Saturday, Japan beat Ghana 5-0 at Prince Mohammad International Stadium in Zarqa, 22km east of Amman, while Brazil beat Nigeria 1-0 at Amman's King Abdullah II International Stadium, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The championship concludes on October 21.

In a statement carried by Petra, Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said hosting the championship shows Jordan's key role in the region, thanking FIFA for entrusting the Kingdom with this task.

Momani, who is also minister of state for media affairs, commended all the efforts that went into organising a "successful championship".