Head coach Hussein Ammouta was proud of the mindset of champions his Jordan side produced in their stunning 2-0 victory over South Korea in their AFC Asian Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
Goals from Yazan al-Naimat and Mousa al-Tamari at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan secured Jordan’s historic place in the final, where they will face defending champions and hosts Qatar on Saturday.
“Congratulations to everyone who contributed to our victory. The players were our main weapon, showcasing heroic performances throughout the tournament. Despite facing injuries, we managed to deliver a significant accomplishment,” said the 54-year-old Ammouta.
“Our players demonstrated great initiative throughout the match. We agreed to start strongly, capitalising on the fact that South Korea have conceded eight goals in five matches. It was crucial to utilise our attacking abilities and seize the initiative to attack, especially against formidable opponents like them, who are known for their skilful players. We knew that our opponents would strike back, hence the focus remained on aggressive defensive tactics. However, it was our proactive approach and emphasis on attacking play that made us the more effective team. We displayed the mindset of champions, showing resilience and determination in every aspect of the game.”
Despite starting the game aggressively, Ammouta admitted he had been concerned with the lack of goal scoring efficiency midway through the first half, but defensive composure led Jordan confidently securing a famous victory.
“Initially, there was concern over the five missed opportunities, as such misses can often lead to one conceding a goal. However, our team remained composed after scoring the second goal, maintaining control of the game. Today’s victory differed significantly from our 2-2 group stage draw against the Korean team, particularly in terms of our defensive tactics. I emphasised to the players the importance of pressuring their attackers, which they executed effectively.
“While there are variables beyond our control, it’s crucial for the players to adapt to the conditions on the pitch. Despite missing chances, the team gave their all in defence and attack. We embraced the opportunity, knowing we had nothing to lose, and it paid off. Today’s success was a collective effort, with every individual contributing to the win. Our approach was not to give the opposition undue respect but to play with confidence and determination. Their commitment to winning individual battles ultimately led to our victory.”
Jordan are one win away from securing a maiden AFC Asian Cup title with Ammouta saying the days leading up to Saturday’s final will be utilised wisely. “We are grateful for the seriousness with which everyone approached their roles. With just three days to prepare until we play in the final, we must utilise this time effectively.”
Ammouta hoped their surprise run to the final will spark broader development in the country’s football and propel Jordanian players into the Premier League. South Korea’s coach Jurgen Klinsmann and skipper Son Heung-min admitted that Jordan, the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament, fully deserved their semi-final victory on Tuesday.
No matter what happens on Saturday, the widely admired Ammouta says their landmark achievement must be the spark for something longer lasting in Jordanian football. “We need to invest in infrastructure, in the training and formation of our players to reach higher levels,” he said. “We need to pay attention to age categories.”
Ammouta says that change is already afoot, citing the example of the impressive al-Tamari, who together with al-Naimat terrorised South Korea’s shell-shocked defence. Tamari, who set Naimat up for the opening goal on 53 minutes before slicing through the Korean defence for a second 13 minutes later, left Jordan’s domestic league in 2018.
First came a move to Cypriot giants APOEL, before leaving for Belgian football two years later with Oud-Heverlee Leuven. Last summer, after 10 goals and nine assists for the top-flight Belgian side, al-Tamari sealed a free transfer to Montpellier in France.
Al-Tamari is the only member of Jordan’s Asian Cup squad playing in Europe and Ammouta says for the national side to build on their success in Qatar more need to follow in his footsteps. “What you saw today was the fruit of several years of work,” Ammouta said.
“We have Mousa al-Tamari in the French league and hopefully we will have four or five Jordanian players in the French league or the English Premier League. When you look at Japan or Korea you see players who are playing abroad and they have great value to their national teams. This is what we should start planning for – how will we produce players who will play in the world’s biggest leagues? This a building block that’s part of a bigger plan.”
First, Jordan must upset the odds once again in the final in Doha. Ranked 87 in the world by FIFA, they will be the underdogs against Qatar.