Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Third-choice striker Hamza Al Dardour has given Jordan coach Ray Wilkins a welcome headache ahead of Tuesday’s crucial meeting with Japan at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 after the striker scored four goals in Friday’s 5-1 win over Palestine in Group D.
Watch Asian Cup 2015's first hat-trick by Al Dardour
Al Dardour watched from the bench on Monday as two-time quarter-finalists Jordan opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat by 2007 winners Iraq in Brisbane.
But after becoming only the fourth player in the history of the AFC Asian Cup to score four goals in a single game, 23-year-old Al Dardour (pictured) will now battle fit-again fellow striker Ahmad Hayel and Odai Al Saify for the right to start back at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday as Jordan seek to maintain their 100% record of qualifying for the quarter-finals.
“I said to the guys when we set off on our little journey to Australia that we will need everybody, and Hamza was probably third choice behind Odai and Hayel, so you just had to bide your time. Hamza has now given me a horrible headache that I now have to try and sort out, but nevertheless, I am delighted for him and delighted for the lads,” said Englishman Wilkins after claiming his first win as Jordan coach having been appointed in September.
“He has got blistering pace and when he is in front of goal he will stick it in the back of the net. His pace will scare people as he is that quick, but we just need to work him more within the team structure and I am sure he can do whatever he desires to.”
While handing Wilkins his first win as a national team coach, the victory also ended Jordan’s 11 game losing streak which stretched back to March’s final AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 qualifier against Syria.
“It wasn't straightforward at the start and it was never going to be because a lot of the teams in our region are of a similar standard, so they are always going to be difficult in what is basically a local derby for us,” added Wilkins.
“I felt the scoreline was a little heavy in our favour. They had a number of chances and Amer Shafi made some very good saves for us. We could have scored a couple more, but I think defensively, both sides would not have been as happy as they would offensively.
“It is a real confidence boost for them. We have had a lot of bad luck and haven’t had any results, but we still conceded a goal from a period of strength and that is a little bit disappointing from my perspective even though it was 5-1. I would have preferred them to finish the job off.”
Jordan will remain in Melbourne ahead of next week’s decider against defending champions Japan, with Wilkins confirming striker Hayel will train on Saturday having missed the victory over Palestine through health issues.
“We play in four days’ time so immediately we get back to it. I will have a little look at the video and we will see the end of the Japan game and we will see where we go from there, but it is back to the drawing board as the game we face now is critical for us,” said Wilkins.
“We have done a good job tonight, but the next game is critical.”
Photo: WSG