U-23 football team prepares to host Oman

AMMAN — The Kingdom’s U-23 football team will regroup this weekend to prepare for two friendlies against Oman on December 28 and 31 as the team prepares for the 2016 Olympic qualifiers set for March 2015.

The team last played three friendlies against leading teams Wihdat, Faisali and Shabab Urdun during a local training camp as head coach Jamal Abu and team officials at the Jordan Football Association tried to secure several friendlies. 

“These matches will pave the way to assess all players recalled and finalise the line-up accordingly,” Abu Abed said. The squad is also set to play the UAE on January 27 and 30.

Earlier this year, Jordan was eliminated from the Asian Games quarters, despite a bumpy preparation as the team had a hard time regrouping amid the busy agenda of the national team as well as local clubs. Jordan  was impressive as the team topped Group G after three wins. In Round 1, they scored  a 1-0 win over the UAE and 2-0 over India. In Round 2, they beat Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in extra time. In the quarters, they lost to Thailand 2-0.

Following the Asian Games, the coach recalled other players, including five from the senior national team with the hope of further consolidating the line-up.

In local friendlies this summer, the team lost to Wihdat 2-0, tied Jazira 1-1 and beat Shabab Urdun 2-1. In regional friendlies they beat Uzbekistan 2-1, held Iran 2-2 and 1-1, and Kuwait 1-1 twice before a goalless draw with Qatar. They finished second at the Palestine International Championship, and earlier this year hosted the England C squad  in a historic match, losing 1-0.