Jordan coach relishing Australia rivalry ahead of World Cup clash

Jordan coach Vital Borkelmans is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Australia during qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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The November 14 clash in Amman will be the third straight World Cup qualification clash between Jordan and the Socceroos.

The Middle Easterners won both at home and lost both away on the road to the 2014 and 2018 tournaments but perhaps saved their best for January’s AFC Asian Cup as Borkelmans led the Nashama to a famous victory over the defending champions.

With only the top team from each of the eight groups going through to the next stage, along with the four best-placed runners-up, the November meeting could be crucial.

“For Jordan and Australia there has been something special,” Borkelmans, a former assistant coach for the Belgium national team, told The World Game.

“I don’t know why they play together every time but it always seems to happen.”

Australia came in for criticism after losing to Jordan in January.

“If they want revenge for that game in Australia, then I like it” added Borkelmans. “I like this a lot.

"We played a marvellous game against Australia at the Asian Cup.

"I played at World Cups and I know that small teams can make things difficult for big teams.

"It is always possible but we must play at 100 percent or 120 percent and they must be at 80 percent. Then you have a chance.

"When you are well-prepared mentally and physically then you have a chance.”

It could happen again on the road to Qatar but Jordan know there is a lot of work to do.

“It will be a different situation. That was one game but we still have to prepare as if we are playing the best team in the world.

"When you go into a tournament, you have to be ready. We had two months of training, three times a day.

"We analysed every player in every team. We knew they had good players but we looked for weaknesses and we did that against Australia and that is what we will aim to do again.”

Preparations for Jordan will have opposite number Graham Arnold feeling more than a little jealous.

“They cancelled the league here in Jordan and I have been training with 35 players and then we have a camp with 26. We have a West Asian tournament and then we start thinking about qualification.”

The West Asian Championships kick off on July 30 in Iraq. It could be worth Australia sending a scout as Jordan take on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait - another Group B rival along with Taiwan and Nepal.

“Kuwait have good players, mentally and physically very good," said Borkelmans. "Kuwait is improving as are Taiwan and Nepal.

"All are difficult and there is going to be a lot of travelling. But we are looking forward to it.

"The win against Australia was a turning point for us. Before that, the fans and media did not believe but now they do.”