PETALING JAYA: Selangor midfielder Noor Al-Rawabdeh is focused on his club responsibilities and quietly hoping to make the World Cup side for his country Jordan.
The 29-year-old is determined to help Selangor progress in the Asean Club Championship Shopee Cup by beating Vietnam’s Nam Dinh FC in the semi-finals.
The first leg is on May 6 at the Petaling Jaya Stadium and the return leg on May 13 at Nam Dinh Stadium.
A place in the final would be a significant achievement for Al-Rawabdeh, who has become a key figure under coach Kim Pan-gon.
“Playing at the World Cup would mean everything to me,” said the Jordan international, who has 56 caps. “But right now, my focus is on performing well, helping Selangor in the Shopee Cup and making both my club and my country proud.”
Al-Rawabdeh has grown into an important player for both club and country.
He was part of the Jordan squad that finished runners-up at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and later secured a historic first-ever qualification for the World Cup.
He is widely expected to be included in Jamal Sellami’s squad for the tournament in the United States, where Jordan will face defending champions Argentina, along with Algeria and Austria in the group stage.
In the Shopee Cup, the Red Giants finished second in Group A behind Buriram United on goal difference, recording two wins and three draws.
Al-Rawabdeh featured in four of those matches, providing experience and composure in midfield.
“Even if you are not the favourites, you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself and work together,” he said.
