Johnson: Jordan will be ready to compete - FIFA U-17 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
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| FIFA.com |
As the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 draws ever closer, excitement has been growing at local level as the finishing touches are put to preparations for the largest event ever held in the Kingdom, located in the heart of the Middle East.
Renowned the world over for their hospitality, the Jordanians have not neglected the sporting aspect of the festivities, and their U-17 team has stepped up the intensity of their training schedule in order to hit peak form when the tournament begins.
With just 12 weeks to go, Jordan are continuing to work towards their opening match of the competition against Spain, under the watchful eye of their English coach, Robbie Johnson, and local assistants Maher Abu Hantash, Khader Eid and Anees Shafeeq, who have put in a tremendous effort on a daily basis to ensure that the players are ready.
“Jordan’s U-17 women’s team is extremely enthusiastic and the players are keen to learn,” said Johnson, who took up the reins at the beginning of March. “They’re a happy bunch. The girls who’ve been selected must, while working together with the backroom staff, give all they’ve got to be at their best, in terms of their physical and technical preparation. That will ensure that we can compete at the tournament.”
The team is made up of a core group of girls who won the AFC U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship (West Zone) and subsequently moved up to U-17 level. From the moment that Jordan were selected as hosts, the players began training – over several different stages – for the prestigious event.
They have taken part in high-energy training camps in Uzbekistan, Egypt and Portugal, and despite having to juggle schoolwork and football, they have been given invaluable support from their families, who encouraged them to train hard. This is turn has helped them to achieve the necessary focus out on the pitch.
All the Jordan squad are aware of the responsibility that rests on their shoulders. “Last year, I was picked from a number of players to join the team,” recounted Jana Abu Goush. “My skill level is improving by the day, and I’m trying to do everything I can to show I’m good enough to play at this tournament.”
Goalkeeper Joud Alshanti, who has been a huge football fan since her infancy, when she would kick a ball around with her siblings, added: “Our morale is improving with each day that goes by. We know how important this competition is. The daily training sessions have really brought us together and have made us a strong unit.”
Tasneem Isleem, for her part, made a point of stressing how honoured she feels each time she pulls on her country’s jersey. “We’re very proud to be taking part in this tournament,” she said. “It’s a World Cup, after all – the kind of thing that all of us dream about. It’s a great privilege to represent my country at this global event.”
The Jordanians are currently running daily training sessions and plan to embark on further training camps in the coming days, first in Germany and then in England in August. After that, Johnson’s charges will return to Amman for the final stage of their preparations, which will entail playing friendly matches against other competing teams.