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AMMAN — Jordan’s U-23 national football team is returning home on Monday after being eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 Championship currently under way in Doha.

Jordan went down 1-0 to South Korea and failed to join the top four and a possible Olympic slot with the continents top three advancing to the Olympic Games football tournament in Rio de Janeiro.

Despite its elimination, team officials and observers have lauded the squad’s impressive participation. Jordan dominated the second half of the match and scored a goal which was ruled offside by the referee. 

 “I’m proud and satisfied with my team’s performance. These players proved that we have a bright future for Jordanian football,” coach Jamal Abu Abed told the media as the team set off on its return journey. “We were the better side and deserved a win and had a clear upper hand throughout the second half. The offside decision needs to be reviewed, it was a correct goal,” Abu Abed underlined.

South Korea’s head coach Shin Tae-yong acknowledged Jordan was dominant in the second half and said the narrow victory should serve as a good learning experience for his team.

“We had a good first half but I think our players lost their focus when the opponents came out attacking. I think we should be able to play better against Qatar,” he added.

In other quarter-final matches, Iraq beat the UAE 3-1, Japan beat Iran 3-0 and Qatar ousted North Korea 2-1. In the semis it is Japan vs Iraq while host Qatar plays South Korea.

Despite the busy agendas of the national squad in World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers, as well as the local competition agendas which hampered the U-23 squad’s better preparation, Jordan had an impressive run and finished second in Group D after holding Australia and the UAE 0-0 after a 3-1 opening win over Vietnam.

In the inaugural AFC U-22 Championship in 2014 (now renamed AFC U-23 Championship), Iraq won the title after defeating Saudi Arabia and Jordan took third place when it beat South Korea. 

In 2015, Jordan’s U-23 squad was eliminated from the 1st West Asian Championship and in 2014 the line-up represented Jordan at the Asian Games where it made it to the quarter-finals. 

AMMAN — The final week of the Premier Basketball League preliminary round is set to conclude over the weekend as the weather forecast forced the postponement of matches.

The top four teams have been decided but the final week will determine the standings, as teams get into the mood of the serious fight for the title.  

In the current round Hurrieh lead the standings with an unbeaten record so far and the most anticipated match will be Riyadi vs Orthodoxi in their quest for second place. With teams like Applied Science University, Ittihad and Wihdat pulling out of the competition, Jalil have joined the top four.

Last week, Riyadi scored a big win 102-66 over Ghazzet Hashem. Riyadi’s only defeat was to Hurrieh, as was Orthodoxi’s, who last beat Jalil 56-39. Hurrieh beat Nashama 60-45 and next play Jalil while Awdeh who beat Kufr Youba 78-71 play Nashama. 

Orthodoxi won their record 23rd league title last year and started off the season by winning the Jordan Cup, beating closest rivals Riyadi in the final minutes of the match.

Apart from Orthodoxi and Riyadi, the basketball league has undergone many changes with the leading clubs abandoning the game. Former champs Applied Science University and Ittihad have pulled out of competitions over differences with the Jordan Basketball Federation and players have been dispersed over the rest of clubs. New clubs with no fan base are competing, in what is seen as a sharp decline in the game locally as well as Jordan’s regional competitive chances.

Standings

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — HRH Prince Ali is confident he can win the FIFA presidential election and turn around what he says is a critical situation facing football’s governing body.

Prince Ali, who is one of five candidates for the presidency vacated by Sepp Blatter, told reporters in New Zealand on Friday he believes he will win on February 26 in Zurich and that he is the one person who can turn the organisation around.

The 40-year old lost to Blatter by 133 votes to 73 in a presidential election in May, before Blatter was banned for eight years.

Prince Ali said: “I am fully confident I will win this if things are conducted properly. Across the world the weight has been lifted off of people’s shoulders. People want to be proud of being part of this organisation again and, without going into specifics on numbers, I’m building on what [votes] had last time around.”

Football New Zealand supported his candidacy in May and his visit on Friday was part of a worldwide tour to solicit support.

“FIFA is in a critical situation right now and we need to fix that,” Prince Ali said. “We have one chance coming in February. I believe we have wasted a year and we need to get it right. FIFA’s reputation has suffered dramatically and that has affected everything. There is a real desire to get things back on track.

“We have a lot of good people in football around the world, but you have to have a leadership that understands what needs to be done. I believe [I’m] the only one who can really come in and do this.”

His priorities would be to restore FIFA to its role as a “service organisation” for players and fans and to implement a two-term limit for presidents and executive committee members.

“We have to come back to good practices to make it a modern organisation which is relevant for the time we live, and to restore faith for all our stakeholders,” he said. “At the end of the day FIFA is the umbrella for football across the globe and it would be a shame to let things go on the way they are. That is why I’m running as a candidate, to fix this up.

“A president of FIFA needs to be somebody who rolls up his sleeves, goes on the ground and works directly with national associations. I know I will. That’s the point, I’m my own man and I’m doing things exactly as they should be and hopefully when I win and I get that mandate that will be the impetus to really drive things the way they should be.”

Prince Ali was determined to establish a culture of full transparency within FIFA.

“In terms of all aspects of the organisation, whether it is our financial situation, salaries, the World Cup bids, we need to be really open because that is what the world deserves for the most popular sport,” he said.

He dangled the carrot to New Zealand of direct World Cup entry for the winner of an Oceania qualifying competition, saying he would lobby to eliminate the current system which requires a playoff against a team from another confederation.

“I’m totally against the idea of a half slot,” he said. “It’s a real challenge not just for Oceania but also for Asia, Conmebol and Concacaf as well.”

Prince Ali also supports an enlarged World Cup but would not make it an election issue.

“We have to look at how things are conducted within FIFA in terms of how decisions are made,” he said. “[There is] room for enlarging the World Cup but that subject should not be brought up by a reform committee or during a FIFA presidential campaign.”

KUWAIT CITY — The head of Kuwait's national Olympic committee condemned what he called on Wednesday the "serious escalation" of government interference that could prevent the Gulf nation's athletes from representing their country at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Sheikh Talal Al Fahad Al Sabah said in a statement that the government has taken "vindictive measures" to justify the actions that led to the Kuwait Olympic Committee's suspension.

Kuwait was suspended by the International Olympic Commmittee in October on grounds of government meddling in sports affairs and the introduction of sports legislation that violates the Olympic Charter.

The Kuwaiti government filed a $1.3 billion suit last week against 14 board members of the national Olympic committee. Among those named was Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, the influential head of the Association of National Olympic Committees.

"This is a serious escalation of a regrettable sequence of events," Sheikh Talal said.

On Tuesday, the Kuwaiti government filed suit against the national federations of swimming, volleyball, basketball and soccer. The government also took action against leaders of the national boxing and weightlifting bodies.

Sheikh Talal said he regretted that "our dedicated athletes became the real victims”.

"After years of hard work our athletes are facing the prospect of not being able to compete at Rio 2016 under the national flag," he said.

The sheikh called on the government to respect the Olympic Charter, adding that his national committee "will remain ready to find a solution to these matters at the earlier opportunity, for the benefit of all our athletes”.

The dispute has been an embarrassment for Sheikh Ahmad, who is a member of Kuwait's royal family and also serves on FIFA's executive committee.

Last month, Sheikh Ahmad received a suspended six-month sentence for disobeying a prosecutor's gag order by discussing a video involving a purported plot to overthrow the government. He said he would appeal, calling it a "personal attack" that was "symptomatic of the current relationship between Kuwait and the sports movement."

The Olympic dispute also centres on the personal rivalry between Sheikh Ahmad and Kuwait's sports minister, Sheikh Salman Al-Sabah. The feud revolves around Sheikh Salman's unsuccessful run in 2014 for the presidency of the international shooting federation.

LONDON – The Iraq Football Association (IFA) has pledged their support for HRH Prince Ali in next month's FIFA presidential election.

Prince Ali will stand against Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne of France, South African businessman and politician Tokyo Sexwale and UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino in the February 26 vote.

"The FA has endorsed Prince Ali in a letter to FIFA," IFA President Abdul Khaliq Masood said in a statement published by Prince Ali's bid team.

"We have decided that Iraq's vote will go to Prince Ali because Prince Ali has always supported the development of football in Iraq, Jordan and our region," Masood said. 

On Monday, Prince Ali hosted a delegation from Iraq including Masood and Iraq Minister of Youth and Sports Abdul-Hussein Abtan.

Prince Ali returned to Jordan at the start of the week to meet the Iraqi delegation after campaigning in Africa and the Caribbean, where his team said he "picked up private commitments of support from several other nations".

"We are very pleased to support Prince Ali. He is the best man for the job. We greatly appreciate everything Jordan has done to support Iraqi sports and youth over the years," Abtan told Iraq state television.

AMMAN – Jordan on Wednesday qualified to the quarter-finals of the AFC U-23 Championship after a 0-0 draw with Australia. Jordan finished in the second place in Group D behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who topped the table after a 3-2 win over Vietnam in the other game in the group.

Jordan kicked off the AFC U-23 Championship campaign with a comfortable 3-1 win over Vietnam before a 0-0 draw with the UAE. In the quarter-finals, Kingdom will play South Korea. 

AMMAN –  The U-23 national football team will aim to advance to Round 2 when it plays Australia on Wednesday in its third match at the 2nd AFC U-23 Championship currently underway in Doha, Qatar. Jordan was held 0-0 with the UAE in its last match but still lead Group D after a 3-1 win over Vietnam, as Australia beat Vietnam 2-0 after losing to the UAE in the 16-team championship serving as Asia’s qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

On Wednesday, a draw will be sufficient to move Jordan to the next round as the UAE play winless Vietnam. A win will put Jordan atop of the group and eventually decide which team it faces in the second round.

LONDON — A bet that could see former England great Gary Lineker on TV in his underwear is not a normal wager.

But how brave, or foolish, was the former Leicester striker to say he would host the first “Match of the Day” next season in his underpants if his old club won the Premier League?

The naked truth is that Lineker could be heading for an embarrassing Saturday night.

After narrowly avoiding relegation at the end of last season, Leicester hired a new manager in 64-year-old Claudio Ranieri, a popular coach with a wealth of experience but a dearth of silverware. Add the modest budget for transfers, and it’s not surprising the team was firmly marked down as a prime candidate for the drop.

Instead, Leicester have spent weeks at the top of the world’s richest league, and only a goal difference of three is currently keeping the club in second place below Arsenal. If not for a missed penalty in Saturday’s draw at Aston Villa, the Foxes could well be two points clear of the chasing pack.

Can they keep this going and create one of the biggest shocks in English football?

The arguments against them are predictable and well-rehearsed. Leicester have no real Premier League pedigree, no star players and no prospect of any big-name signings. It’s hard to imagine a top international player joining over the next two weeks and telling reporters “ever since I was a kid, it was my dream to play for Leicester.”

And in 30 years as a coach, Ranieri’s trophy cabinet is certainly not cluttered. An Italian Cup in 1996 from his time with Fiorentina and the 1999 Copa del Rey with Valencia pretty much fills it.

However, none of this fazes a well-drilled Leicester side that are thoroughly enjoying their football and are free of expectations.

And that’s just the point. Leicester have none of the pressure that’s now ratcheting up on Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United as players in the glamour clubs head towards the business end of the season.

And a team that plays without fear is a dangerous opponent.

Leicester showed no fear when they hosted Premier League champion Chelsea, beating the Blues 2-1 in an impressive performance. The millionaire players of both Manchester clubs have been held to draws, and fourth-place Tottenham was beaten at White Hart Lane last week. Among the title contenders, only Arsenal have so far inflicted a defeat on Leicester.

On a purely footballing level, Leicester are good enough to win the league.

Arsenal, City and United fans found it amusing when “little Leicester” — Ranieri’s words — went to the top of the Premier League on November 21 after 13 games.

Nine matches and two months later, they’re not laughing any more.

Leicester are still up with the pacesetters and showing no signs of the sudden implosion and descent to mid-table mediocrity that was so widely predicted. What’s more, the argument that “this has never been done before” carries even less weight.

“If ‘little Leicester’ are looked down [on], it’s normal,” Ranieri said last week. “It’s not normal what Leicester are doing. It’s unbelievable. It’s fantastic and our fans are dreaming. The fans must continue to dream — we must continue to work hard.”

If they succeed, it will be very embarrassing for English football’s biggest clubs, their pampered players and their global sponsors.

But their embarrassment will be nothing compared to Lineker’s, as he is watched by a TV audience of several million in his underpants.

LIVERPOOL — Wayne Rooney kept up his hot streak by scoring a 78th-minute winner as Manchester United beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Premier League in a poor-quality game between English football's two most successful clubs on Sunday.

 The England striker grabbed his fifth goal in four games in 2016 with United's first shot on target at Anfield, rifling home a volley from close range after Marouane Fellaini's header rebounded off the bar.

Playing without a recognised striker, Liverpool largely dominated the game but only created half-chances. The best fell to midfielder Emre Can, who had two shots saved by David de Gea in the second half.

United stayed two points behind fourth-place Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification, and moved up a place to fifth. Liverpool is eight points off Spurs, with their top-four ambitions taking a huge step back against the team's biggest rival.

Rooney looks back to something close to his best form after a disappointing first half of the season. He was even dropped for the December 26 match against Stoke, but was recalled for the next match — against Chelsea at home two days later — and has scored in every game since then.

Rooney was isolated for much of this game, feeding off scraps, but took his chance well with a true strike after Fellaini rattled the crossbar with a header.

Many global football fans mark this fixture as one of the games of the Premier League season — the rivals have 38 league titles between them — but the two powers have struggled this campaign.

They kicked off lying in ninth and sixth place in the standings, respectively, and the first half showed just why. There was plenty of energy and snappy tackles but little quality, especially from United.

The teams were involved in thrilling 3-3 draws in midweek. They went from feast to famine a few days later.

Liverpool carved out some openings, for Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and James Milner, but De Gea wasn't tested once and the shots were from long range. At the other end, opposite goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was little more than a bystander.

De Gea stepped up for United in the second half, though. He saved with his feet a low shot from Can, who then brought a superb diving save out of the Spain international with a fierce drive.

In between those chances, Anthony Martial finally got in behind Liverpool's defence and flashed a left-foot shot just past the far post — United's first genuine effort.

It meant Rooney's goal came against the run of play for United, which maybe made it even sweeter for the celebrating visiting fans, including injured United players Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick.