Abu Dhabi: Head coach Vital Borkelmans has declared that he is not concerned by who Jordan will be playing in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Round of 16, insisting instead that he is fully focused on his side’s final Group B fixture against Palestine.
With one match still to play, Jordan have already been confirmed as group winners following a flying start to the tournament, one which has seen them record successive wins against Australia and then Syria.
Quarter-finalists in 2004 and 2011, Jordan are set to make a third appearance in an AFC Asian Cup knockout phase, although Borkelmans is adamant that he is looking no further than Tuesday’s encounter at Abu Dhabi’s Al Nahyan Stadium.
“I never look further than the next match. What comes after that we will see,” he said.
“It is [currently] important that my team plays well against Palestine, and that we try to perform to the very best of our ability and, in the process, create plenty of chances. We must play as we did against Australia and Syria to show people that we are ready for the Round of 16.
“We are hoping to achieve a good result for our amazing fans, although I have to change some players, and it will be a case of utilising all 23 squad members.”
Borkelmans’ talented team have been attracting plenty of plaudits in the wake of their impressive displays, attention that the Belgian tactician insists is not proving a distraction to his decidedly confident charges.
“Of course, when a team is winning at a tournament, it attracts attention and praise – something which is happening to my team now,” explained the former Belgium national team assistant coach.
“I am not worried though as the more experienced players in the squad are talking to those with less experience. The players are giving a huge amount of confidence to each other, and that is something which could prove very important in the games we still have to come.
“At this moment in time, I believe we can play against anyone. Why? Because my players are very confident indeed.”
Meanwhile, opposite number Noureddine Ould Ali has vowed to go all out for the win when Palestine, who are competing in their second AFC Asian Cup, face their regional rivals.
Having drawn 0-0 with Syria and then lost 3-0 to Australia on Matchday Two, the Palestinians will guarantee themselves a place in the next round should they grab all three points against their regional rivals – a fact not lost on Ould Ali.
“Our objective is [simply] to win the game, qualify for the knockout phase and make the Palestinian people happy,” he said.
“We will be playing against Jordan as if it is a final. We spoke to the players after the game against Australia, and they are now ready and willing to sacrifice everything in order to qualify – something which would be very historic.
“Jordan are a strong team. We have watched their previous games and how they play. However, it is my team’s duty to be ready for every possibility. It is up to us to make the difference, it up to us to qualify.”
Jordanian hotshot Mousa Suleiman Al Tamari and Palestine midfielder Jonathan Zorrilla are both suspended for the match after picking up a yellow card in each of their two previous outings.
Source: the-afc.com