Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Join The-AFC.com as we take a look at hosts of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2016, Jordan, whose first match against Spain will kick off Asia's campaign in the competition on Friday (local time).
The past
Jordan’s U-17 women’s team was formed in 2010, some five years after women’s football made its arrival in the country. In 2012 the side took part in the qualifiers for the following year’s AFC U-16 Women’s Championship in China PR, finishing first in their group, ahead of Palestine and Bahrain, before then missing out on a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014.
The present
Most of the players forming part of the U-14 side that won three consecutive women’s Asian titles in the age group between 2013 and 2015 have made the step up to the U-17s. Despite being hosts of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, Jordan still took part in the qualifiers for the 2015 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship, their bid for a place in the continental finals ultimately proving unsuccessful. Their preparations for the World Cup began in earnest last summer with a series of friendlies.
The future
English coach Robbie Johnson took charge of the side in May 2016, a year after predecessor Maher Abu Hantash had taken up the role. Johnson is a UEFA A licensed coach and he has worked as a coach at Liverpool for 19 years, serving as manager and head coach of the club's senior women's team from 2008 to 2012 and was the lead coach for the U-9 to U-16 age groups at the club's academy from 1993 to 2008.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Key players
Luna Sahloul (defender), Noor Zoqash (defender), Tasnim Abu Al-Rob (midfielder), Leen Al-Btoush (midfielder), Leen Al-Abbadi (forward)
The stat
1 - This is Jordan’s first ever appearance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup
Sources: FIFA.com, FIFA/Getty Images