FIFA World Cup 2014 play-off: Luis Suarez not taking ‘fearless’ Jordan lightly

Uruguay striker warns team against complacency ahead of decider.


Afp November 12, 2013
Luis Suarez, who has been in sublime form for his club Liverpool, will be the key to Uruguay’s success against Jordan today. PHOTO: AFP

AMMAN: Uruguay and Liverpool star Luis Suarez has warned his national side against complacency when they take on Jordan in their World Cup play-off in Amman today.

Suarez – who has been in tremendous form for Liverpool with eight Premier League goals already this season – flew on a private jet to Amman for the first leg match that has captured the imagination of Jordanians hoping for an upset victory that could help their nation qualify for the World Cup finals for the first time in history.

The Jordanians are also excited about the possibility of being the only Arab side at next year’s tournament, with traditional regional superpowers Saudi Arabia and Iraq failing miserably in their qualifying campaigns.

“Jordan will be very motivated to play us, just as teams are when they meet us in the World Cup and the Copa America,” said Suarez.

“We have to be careful. We know Jordan have fast outfield players and if you leave space, they could show their quality.”

Suarez scored twice against Fulham on Saturday but is not taking his club form for granted.

“After the game against Fulham, it will be a big change because when you play with the national team it’s so different,” said Suarez, who along with Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani forms a lethal forward combination for Uruguay.

The South Americans are no strangers to the World Cup, having won the tournament twice, in 1930 and 1950. At the last event in South Africa in 2010, they finished a creditable fourth after losing to the Netherlands 3-2 in the semi-finals.

Jordan coach confident ahead of crunch clash

Jordan coach Hossam Hassan insisted his team felt no fear on the eve of the opening leg of their World Cup play-off against Uruguay.

“I don’t even fear Brazil,” said former Egyptian striker Hassan, who qualified for the 1990 World Cup with his country. “Those who aspire to the World Cup should be strong enough and do their utmost.”

Hassan said he was confident in the ability of his players who won a penalty shoot-out in September’s Asian Football Confederation play-off with Uzbekistan after finishing third in the fourth round of qualifying.

“We have a group of players that I trust. I urge them to seize this historic moment, do their best, act confidently and never give up. I have learned from my experience that nothing is impossible in football,” he said.

Fifa Vice-President Prince Ali bin al-Hussein echoed similar views, but acknowledged that the game will be ‘very difficult.’

“The match will be very difficult but the ‘Nashama’ will play with ambition to win,” he said. “They not only represent Jordan but all Arab teams in Asia.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2013.

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