Nashama well prepared, officials ‘optimistic’ about 2015 Asian Cup

AMMAN – Members of the Jordanian football team look forward to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, optimistic that they will achieve positive results in the competition, national team head coach Raymond Wilkins said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Australian embassy in Amman, Wilkins said he believes the Jordanian team, which will play Japan, Iraq and Palestine in Group D at the competition, will obtain good results.

Jordan has prepared in earnest ahead of the Asian Cup, Jordan Football Association (JFA) Vice President Salah Sabra said at a reception held at the Australian embassy.

The national team will have a friendly match against South Korea on Friday in preparation for the Asian Cup. 

The team will leave for Talinn, Estonia, for another friendly on November 18 against their 88th ranked hosts.

Jordan faces Uzbekistan on December 20, the UAE on December 31 and Bahrain on January 4, also in preparation for the tournament.

Sabra said JFA was among the first to support Australia when it submitted a request to organsie this competition.

"I believe that this tournament will be held in accordance with high level standards and it will have a lot of success," he added.

Meanwhile, Australian Ambassador to Jordan Heidi Venamore stressed the importance of sports, saying that they provide humanity with a common language.

"It can make huge leaps in strengthening ties between countries, and the Asian Football Cup gives us an opportunity to continue our engagement with Jordan, on the football field and in person," Venamore said. 

Moreover, the envoy believes the AFC 2015 Asian Cup is a valuable opportunity to further enhance Australia’s reputation for staging great sporting events, and to generate longer-term community, diplomatic and economic benefits.

"The AFC Asian Football Cup is also a chance for Australia to showcase its tourism, trade and investments to the world, and, more importantly, cement strong relationships with participating nations," the Australian ambassador said.

The hosts play South Korea, Kuwait and Oman in Group A at the AFC 2015 Asian Cup.