Jordan coach: Confronting Iraq is a test of our mental toughness, and Arnold confirms the readiness of the “Lions of Mesopotamia” | sports

Jordanian coach Jamal Al-Salami believes that his team’s real competitor in the upcoming Arab Football Cup matches held in Qatar “is himself,” noting that the players will undergo a real test to measure the extent of their mental toughness after achieving 3 consecutive victories in the competition.

The Jordanian national team qualified for the quarter-finals by topping the third group with a full score, and tomorrow, Friday, it will face its Iraqi counterpart, who finished runner-up in the fourth group.

Al-Salami said, “Achieving three victories in the group stage was extremely important. Every team has its own goals, and our goal was to develop performance, gain character, and enhance confidence.”

He continued: “We qualified for the quarter-finals and we have everyone’s respect, but what was achieved is in the past, and what is more important is what is coming. A strong match awaits us against Iraq.”

He added, “The Iraq match will be a real test to measure our mental toughness, and to confirm that we have become a team capable of winning while maintaining the seriousness and character that it showed previously… Elimination matches have special rituals, and the players realize the magnitude of the responsibility placed on their shoulders, and are looking forward to continuing their journey in the tournament.”

He explained, “We have recently seen the Iraqi national team possess strength in defense and control in most matches, and they have dangerous attackers who must be careful of.”

He concluded, “Since I came to Jordan, the Iraq match has had a special character. In the World Cup qualifiers, the Jordanian fans were demanding victory, even though what was important to me was to qualify for the World Cup… Now in Qatar, we hope that the match will be competitive on the field and the best will win, and I hope we will win and qualify.”

The Jordanian national team, nicknamed “The Starchy,” is experiencing a period of prosperity as it prepares to appear for the first time in next year’s World Cup finals, after the draw that took place this month placed it in the tenth group alongside the defending champions, Argentina, Austria, and Algeria.

Arnold: The players are mentally and physically prepared

On the other hand, Australian coach Graham Arnold is counting on the discipline and enthusiasm of his players to advance further in the tournament.

Arnold said, “The players are mentally and physically prepared to give their best in tomorrow’s match.”

He continued, “The psychological and mental aspect of the players is at its best. This tournament is an important opportunity to choose the most appropriate squad for the global qualifier for the World Cup. Despite the absences, the players gave a distinguished performance against Algeria.”

Arnold expressed his special happiness with “the local elements in the Iraqi league who showed impressive levels in the tournament.” He said, “The players demonstrated high discipline and great energy,” calling on the Iraqi fans to provide support and assistance in this important match.

Iraq qualified for the World Playoff final scheduled for next March in Mexico and will face the winner of the semi-final match between Suriname and Bolivia. The World Playoff will decide the last two places in the World Finals scheduled for the United States, Mexico, and Canada with the participation of 48 teams.

Iraq reached the World Cup finals once, in 1986.