Arab Cup: Pride in the people did not conceal the heartbreak of losing the semi-finals

The pride shown by the Iraqi coach, Adnan Hamad, of the Jordanian national team, in the image presented by his team in the tenth edition of the Arab Football Cup, did not hide the grief of the "Al-Nashma" fans at the loss of the opportunity to qualify for the semi-finals.

Jordan, the most visible player in the tournament throughout its history (9 participants), gave precedence and advantage in a perfect first round against Egypt at Al-Janoub Stadium, which would have led him to a surprise of high caliber, before Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz's team thwarted the scheme, and won the pass to the round. Before the final 3-1 after extra.

The Jordanians began the third group competition in an acceptable manner by defeating Saudi Arabia's reserve 1-0, before a resounding fall against Morocco 0-4 caused angry reactions, and then secured qualification to the quarter-finals with a broad victory over Palestine 5-1.

Despite the confidence that Hamad restored to the national team after its exit from the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, it was subjected to a campaign of harsh criticism that began with the announcement of the official list to participate in the tournament against the background of the exclusion of Muhammad Abu Zureik, without dampening the belated “Sharara” call, an attack that affected the coach personally.

Hamad said in an interview with AFP, "What she was exposed to was from a small group known for its pharmacological tendencies. They do not represent the opinion of the street as a whole. They have turned social media into means of demolition in order to display muscles and appear in big events to attract more attention and followers."

The Iraqi coach, who led Jordan in a previous era to reach the World Cup qualifiers, seemed certain that "the people are proud of the team. We achieved the goal that was set by reaching the quarter-finals, and we were not lucky to cross to the next stage against a strong competitor like the Egyptian team. We could have settled matters in the quota." The first, but the circumstances did not serve us. The team was under enormous pressure, as we played many matches with a limited number due to injuries and absences."

Unlike all the teams whose players are currently playing in the local leagues, "we entered after the end of our long and hard local season, and this explains the players' physical condition and muscle injuries."

He concluded, "We cannot turn a blind eye to the great gains made by the national team through the presence of a group of young players who will be stars in the future. I am confident that the team is respected by the majority. We are already in the process of substitution, but gradually without rush."

Honorable appearance and gains – The former Jordanian national team player and current media player, Muhannad Mahadin, believes that the exit “was honorable compared to the conditions before and during the tournament, including absences and injuries, not to mention that the team is going through a transitional phase after a period of distrust during the assumption of Belgian Vital Borkelmans (former coach). the responsibility".

The former Al-Faisaly star, who retired in 2005, added, "The goal was set to reach the quarter-finals, and this was achieved. The performance varied, but the crossing challenge was against Palestine, which restored some of the team's confidence despite the observations on the performance."

Regarding the exit against Egypt, which played without its professionals abroad, he added, "It was honorable and manly, we embarrassed the opponent, especially in the first half. The physical differences and the difference in experiences may have contributed to the Pharaohs' final decision of the match late, but we are proud of what the team presented and we are confident in the possibility of restoring the glow as In previous years, especially 2013 and 2014.

- "Useful" participation - The former Al-Wehdat coach, Abdullah Abu Zama', described the participation as useful, "We have achieved many gains, the most important of which is the good appearance of some young players who made up the addition. It was an experience for those who will form the mainstay of the team in the near future."

Regarding coach Hamad’s project, the former international midfielder added, “I think that since he took office, he has developed a short-term plan represented by the Arab Cup, and a long-term plan related to the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers and finals. Qualification will be within reach, of course, and the replacement and substitution process that some demand will be embodied in the Continental Cup. When we see 80% of the team's strength from young new elements."

Regarding the results achieved in Qatar, he added, "It was good, with the exception of the unacceptable loss against the Moroccan team, but overall, and in comparison with the circumstances, the appearance is honorable, especially in the last match against Egypt, which our team almost won, had it not been for the small details."

In turn, the star of Jordanian football and the former Al-Wehdat club, Faisal Ibrahim, confirmed that "the discovery of some young players during the Arab Cup is the most prominent gain in order to serve the future of Jordanian football during the reconstruction phase carried out by Adnan Hamad during the current stage."

He added, "I think that the appearance was convincing and the results were satisfactory, especially since we faced strong teams like Morocco, Egypt and the rest, after a period of shaking confidence during the period before Adnan Hamad took charge of the negative results that caused a state of anger in the Jordanian street in general."

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