Jordan’s coach Ray Wilkins (centre) looks over his players as they train on the eve of their AFC Asian Cup match against Palestine in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP)
Agencies/Melbourne
Under-fire Jordan coach Ray Wilkins shrugged off the pressure mounting on him at the Asian Cup yesterday by insisting his mother still thinks he’s “gorgeous”.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Fulham manager irked the head of the Palestine FA for suggesting that whoever won Monday’s Group D opener between Jordan and Iraq would advance to the quarter-finals with holders Japan. In the event, Jordan lost 1-0.
But Palestine boss Jibril al-Rajoub reportedly told Qatari media that Wilkins must have been “intoxicated” when he made his comments and called for Jordan FA chief and FIFA presidential hopeful Prince Ali bin al-Hussein to fire the Englishman.
“I really don’t worry about people speaking about me,” said Wilkins after a chaotic press conference, which he was initially barred from holding because he had left his accreditation at the team hotel.
“I perfectly understand because if you don’t win, you get the sack. That’s life, that’s football. The Palestine (president) can say what he wants because words are cheap. Prince Ali is a wonderful man and needs to push forward in his life and his career.
“If he decides I need to be changed, I’m still alive. I’m still breathing fresh air, my family love me, my mum thinks I’m gorgeous—she’s the only one!”
Jordan are without a win in their last 11 games, over which they have found the net just three times. The arrival of Wilkins last September has failed to arrest that slide and Jordan must beat Palestine in Melbourne today to stay alive.
“We’re looking forward to it immensely,” said the 58-year-old. “Obviously we have to win two games. It will be very difficult for us but we will play with energy and life.”
The former Chelsea and Manchester United star denied that there was any disharmony between him and his players.
“I gain a lot of strength from my players,” he said. “If you could see our dressing room the other night, you could see how down there were. They care, and that’s very important. I love life. I don’t walk around with a long face, I’m not a ranter and raver.
“When we get beat, no one’s more depressed than me. I go into my room and smash my head against the wall for 10 minutes, but there’s no problem,” he added.
“I don’t argue with the players, I talk to them. We speak. If a player has a problem he speaks to me. If I have a problem, I tell them. I can’t afford to be down. We have to win. These guys give me everything and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Wilkins confirmed striker Ahmed Hayel will miss today’s game and possibly their final Group D clash with Japan. The Jordanian FA has lodged a formal protest to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over striker Hayel’s treatment, claiming he began vomiting after being forced to drink water to help him give a urine sample after a 1-0 defeat by Iraq earlier this week.
“The important thing is to put football into perspective,” Wilkins said.
“People are far more important than a game of football. Ahmad lost so much fluid the other night, we were very, very concerned as to his well-being.
“I will not chance any young man if he has a problem, never—so we may lose Ahmad for two games. We’ve lost a very important player.”
Palestine coach bullish
Palestine coach Ahmed al-Hassan was in bullish mood ahead of today’s match, a clash he labelled “decisive” in Group D.
“We are aware both teams lost their first games,” al-Hassan told a media conference yesterday. “We know Jordan lost their game against Iraq and that this is also a decisive game for them as well.”
Responding to Wilkins comments about knockout spots, al-Hassan said, “They played their opening match and they lost. All I can say is our response will come on the field tomorrow.
“Every person is responsible for their own statements, all I can say is we will see tomorrow. We are responsible for what we say and what we do within the match.”
Palestine were outclassed by Japan in their opening game but losing 4-0 to the reigning champions was no disgrace.
“In the last two days we have been working relentlessly so we can achieve victory and get three points tomorrow,” al-Hassan said.
“We are going to take the match seriously. Yes, we have issues with some of the players having cards and injuries, but we are going to be fully prepared for tomorrow’s match.”
Al-Hassan is without defender Ahmed Mahajna who is suspended following a red card against Japan while midfielder Alexis Norabuena is injured.