KUALA LUMPUR – Despite missing several first-team players, Jordan’s head coach Jamal Sellami expressed satisfaction with his squad’s depth following their 3-1 victory over Palestine in the third-round Asian World Cup 2026 qualifier at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Cheras, last night.
In their second Group B fixture, Jordan easily toppled their neighbours with Yazan Al-Naimat scoring a brace and midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh adding a fine strike. Palestine’s lone goal came from a close-range tap-in by Wessam Abou Ali.
After the match, Jamal expressed optimism about maintaining momentum in the remaining group games as Jordan pushes to qualify for the World Cup.
The 53-year-old Moroccan coach acknowledged that their upcoming match against South Korea would be their biggest challenge in the qualification campaign.
“I’m happy many of my players stepped up today, especially with several key players, including Musa Al-Taamari, sidelined by injuries. Now, I face a dilemma in selecting the best lineup for the upcoming matches since all the backup players are in top form.
“We’ve been playing good football, but today we could have scored more. We created 20 chances but only converted three. I was disappointed with the first half, but the boys understood my frustration and responded well in the second half.
“To qualify for the World Cup, we must maintain this momentum. But South Korea, one of the top teams in Asia, will be a tough challenge.
“I hope my players maintain their fitness and form when they return to their clubs and rejoin the national team. But for now, we’ll head back to the hotel and celebrate this win over Palestine,” Jamal said in the post-match press conference.
Jordan, also known as the Lions of Canaan by their fans, have never qualified for a World Cup.
On the other side, Palestine’s head coach Makram Daboub attributed the defeat to fatigue, admitting that his players’ decision-making on the pitch wasn’t sharp enough.
“We have to admit that Jordan was physically stronger. We didn’t have enough time to recover after our match against South Korea on September 5, leaving us with just five days to prepare.
“We thought we could change the outcome in the second half after equalising, but we didn’t make the right decisions.
“We’re hoping for better performances in our upcoming matches. A few of our players have signed with foreign clubs, and we hope they’ll bring valuable experience when they return.
“Most importantly, we’re grateful for the support from the Malaysian fans who cheered for us. Thank you for giving us a place to play football, and we hope to see the fans again soon,” Daboub said.
Jordan, along with South Korea, currently top Group B of the Asian World Cup 2026 qualifiers with four points, while Palestine sit in fifth place with one point.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the World Cup. – September 11, 2024