Another fairytale is currently unfolding in the Arab realm of football as Jordan has just made history after reaching the 2023 AFC Asian Cup’s finals for the first time ever. Considered underdogs, the Levantine country, which sits at the 87th position in FIFA’s official rankings, has defied expectations by officially securing its spot in the quadrennial tournament’s last round, successively beating out Iraq, Tajikistan, and Asian Cup favorites South Korea against all odds.
“The players delivered a heroic performance. The X-factor was we didn’t need to give South Korea more respect than needed,” Jordan’s coach Hussein Ammouta said following the game. “Based on their record in their last few games, they conceded goals and we knew it was possible to score against them, that was the turning point,” he continued.
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Prior to this edition, Jordan had never reached past the quarter-finals of the regional championship, yet, the Arab State is seemingly on its way to etching its name among the elite in Asian football. With the final game expected to take place on Feb. 10, Jordan awaits the winner between Iran and defending champions Qatar, to determine their next opponent and prepare for, arguably, the most important match since the federation’s foundation.
Ahead of the team’s forthcoming match, many pundits have been drawing parallels between Jordan’s success and Morocco’s mighty moment at the 2022 FIFA World Cup as both nations embarked on a stellar run that redefined their place in the global football landscape. While some may want to attribute Jordan’s success to the influence of their Moroccan coach, the true driving force behind their ongoing triumphs adamantly lies in the players’ belief and commitment to proving that anything is possible once collective will and determination are brought together for the common good.
