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Vital Borkelmans announced a 28-member Jordan squad for their double friendly against India on November 17th and Saudi Arabia on November 20th to be held at the King Abdullah Stadium in Amman.
Jordan is coming off a 1-2 loss against World Cup runners-up Croatia, before which they had played goalless draws against Albania and Oman.
Despite being ranked lower than India, the Blue Tigers cannot take the Middle-East nation lightly as they would have the home advantage. Moreover, India has an abysmal record against the senior teams of the Middle-Eastern countries.
Their trouble doesn't end there as they are grouped alongside UAE and Bahrain in the group stages of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. If a Chhetri-less side can come out of the fixture unscathed, India's morale would be boosted immensely.
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Also Read: India vs Jordan International Friendly- The Unpicked Indian XI
So, which all players Stephen Constantine and his men should be wary about? Here are 5 Jordan stars to watch out.
#5 Baha Faisal
Position: Striker
Club: Kuwait Sporting Club
Age: 23
In India's previous match against China, the Blue Tigers were lucky to eke out a draw due to the poor form and profligacy of the Chinese strikers. However, that will not rescue India this Saturday as Baha Faisal recently scored against Croatia.
He came in place of the misfiring Odi Khadr at the 64th minute and found the back of the net nine minutes later by curling in his freekick into the bottom left corner.
Moreover, he also scored against Bengaluru FC at the 2017 AFC Champions League Qualifiers at the very same stadium while playing for Al-Wehdat SC.
Here is the stunner he scored against Saudi Arabia U-23 earlier this year:
#4 Yazan Abu-Arab
Position: Centre-Back
Age: 22
Club: Al-Jazeera
Unlike the traditional 4-4-2 formation, Jordan employs a 3-4-1-2 formation. A three-man back-line will crumble if any of the defenders show any signs of complacency. Despite being only 22, Yazan Abu-Arab has proved his mettle to be a regular for the Jordan side.
Modern football requires the defenders to be astute not only in blocking and lodging in tackles but also in giving the strikers and midfielders a helping hand when required. Yazan is that sort of player who can find spaces and feed intelligent through balls to the strikers.
The defender is also known for his pinpoint accuracy of long balls as he provided three dangerous crosses in their game against Croatia.
Like Baha Faisal, he too came through the ranks of the U-23 squad and will be raring to keep Jeje, Balwant, or Manvir at bay.
#3 Khalil Bani Attiah
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Age: 27
Club: Al-Faisaly
Playing in the hole above the midfield and behind the forward line is the 27-year-old Khalil Bani Attiah. Like the previous names in the list, he also came through the junior ranks of the country, having represented them numerous times in the U-19 and U-22 levels.
But, unlike the young guns, he has represented Jordan 59 times and even found the back of the net seven times. Khalil is also known for breaking the attacks and winning fouls in the defensive half of the pitch.
This Saturday, Pronay Halder and Anirudh Thapa will not only have to keep him in check but also two other midfielders in the centre of the field. Khalil Bani Attiah would be leading them and orchestrating the midfield to ensure they get the leverage.
#2 Yaseen Al-Bakhit
Position: Left Winger
Age: 27
Club: Dibba Al-Fujairah
Jordan's talented players have not only found themselves playing in the top clubs of the country but also in the neighbouring Middle Eastern countries. After plying his trade for numerous sides in the Saudi Pro League, the left winger signed for UAE's Dibba Al-Fujairah in 2016.
The 27-year-old has had 9 appearances for his club in the UAE Gulf League so far, netting the ball in thrice. He has successfully replicated his striking form for the country by scoring 5 goals. The left winger is equally adept in playing in the centre and in the right wing, allowing him to interchange position with other midfielders.
Can Pritam Kotal stop his marauding runs down the left flank this Saturday? Only time will tell.
Here is the wonder goal he scored against Hong Kong from the counter in 2017:
#1 Mousa Al-Ta'mari
Position: Forward
Age: 21
Club: APOEL
If you think India's worries should end with a Jordanian playing for a UAE-based club in Europe, you are wrong. Mousa Al Ta'amari penned the deal with the 2017-18 Cypriot First Division champions APOEL FC earlier this year and even started all the seven matches for the side, scoring three goals.
He also played all the matches for the historic Cypriot club in their UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign bagging an assist.
The 21-year-old is known for cutting between the left back and the left centre-back and finding the back of the net. Whosoever starts for India in those positions can have a nightmare.
Here is a fan tribute from Nashmy Sport who proclaims him to be the next Lionel Messi:
What other Jordan players the India team should be wary of? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
