Yazan Al-Arab stretching during training session. - Photo by Selangor FC
PETALING JAYA: An expanded 24-team Asian Cup Finals in Doha, Qatar, means the passage to the knockout stage could be secured with a single win and one surely can’t discount coach Kim Pan-gon from guiding the Malaysian team to achieve that historic feat.
The four best third-placed teams will join the respective group winners and runners-up in the last 16, a position Malaysia have never found themselves in.
And the 130th ranked Harimau Malaya could boost their chances with a win in their opening match against Jordan in a group that also includes Bahrain and South Korea.
Jordan are ranked higher at No. 87th but struggled last year. They failed to record a single win, losing six matches in a row under Moroccan coach Houcine Ammouta.
But Jordan will surely be going all out to crush Malaysia’s dream and Ammouta could be relying on the inside knowledge provided by four players who have featured in the Super League.
The four players - Yazan Al Arab, Fadi Awad, Noor Al Rawabdeh and Mahmoud Al Mardi - are among the 26 players selected by Ammouta for the Asian Cup Finals.
Yazan and Noor performed brilliantly with Selangor throughout two seasons. Yazan had his contract terminated immediately after being found guilty of kicking the referee recently but he was a pillar at the back throughout his stint with the Red Giants.
Noor, on the other hand, excelled as a midfielder and has helped Selangor qualify for the AFC Champions League next season.
The duo can certainly helped turn the game in Jordan’s favour.
Fadi has been a main player for Police while Mahmoud featured for Kedah last year. Both also have good knowledge of the Malaysian players and will be out to deny the underdogs from stealing three points.
Malaysia will play a friendly with Syria next Monday as part of their final preparations for the tournament.
