Jordan – ranked 77 in the world – is set to play Australia in an Asia World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on June 11 and will use the match against New Zealand ‘A’ in Albany as preparation for the crucial clash.
Australia lost 2-1 away to Jordan in September, and currently sit in third place, one point behind the Arab kingdom with a game in hand. Japan leads with 13 points from a possible 18, Jordan are on seven while Australia and Oman sit on six points and Iraq on five. The top two sides in the group will qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil next year.
Jordan will also play Libya in Amman on 27 May prior to their arrival in Auckland on 2 June as they search for suitable opposition to warm up for the Socceroos.
New Zealand Football has a relationship with the Jordan Football Association dating back to 2009 when the All Whites travelled to the Middle East for an international match.
“It’s a game that we want to play and we have a relationship with Jordan off the back of the 2010 campaign when we played against them before the intercontinental playoff with Bahrain,” NZF chief executive Grant McKavanagh says.
The All Whites won 3-1 on that osccasion, and four years later there may be somefamiliar faces for Jordan in the New Zealand ‘A’ line-up, although it is expected that the team will consist largely of players from the A-League and ASB Premiership, along with members of the Junior All Whites preparing for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
NZF last turned out an ‘A’ team in Melbourne last year when a shadow Olympic side, boosted by the inclusion of Aaron Clapham, Jason Hayne, Cole Peverley and Cole Tinker, took on Saudi Arabia who were also preparing for a crucial qualifier with Australia.
Meanwhile, NZF is continuing to search for opponents for the All Whites with FIFA windows for international matches in August, September and October providing potential dates in the build up to the intercontinental playoff against the fourth placed Central and North American side.
The road to Brazil continues for the six remaining CONCACAF sides in June with nine fixtures scheduled for the window including the blockbuster USA and Mexico clash. Honduras currently occupies fourth position on goal difference with Costa Rica and USA also on four points. Panama leads the group with five points, while Mexico and Jamaica are on three and two points respectively.
The New Zealand ‘A’ versus Jordan match will kick-offat 7.30pm at North Harbour Stadium.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
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