Shafi: We want to match class of 2004

Dubai: Decorated goalkeeper Amer Shafi believes his Jordan side has what it takes to re-create the achievements of their 2004 squad, and reach the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 quarter-finals with a win against Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium on Sunday.

A veteran at 36, it is 15 years since Shafi made his continental bow in China, where Jordan excelled to reach the last eight in their first appearance at the Finals, where they fell to eventual winners Japan on penalties.

Just like in 2004, Al-Nashama have flown through the group stage unbeaten and without conceding a goal in the current AFC Asian Cup, and, with a quarter-final place up for grabs once again, their experienced shot-stopper hopes that is not where the similarities will end.

"In 2004 (pictured below), we had a great team; a golden generation," said Shafi, who first appeared for Jordan two years prior.

"In 2011 and 2015 things weren't as good, but now we have a strong set-up, as good as the 2004 side, and hopefully we can match the success of that side.

"We treat every match as a Cup final. Now we are focused on this Vietnam match and hopefully we can do well and make it to the quarter-final."

With Shafi between the sticks, Jordan also breezed through the opening stage in 2011 tournament in Qatar, before losing 2-1 to Uzbekistan to suffer elimination, once again, in their fourth match.

Impressive wins over Australia and Syria sealed Jordan's status as Group B winners with a match to spare this time around, but while the captain is enjoying the optimism created by his side's performances, he has first hand experience of the brutal nature of knockout football.

"The atmosphere and spirit of the players are both very good, and we are determined," declared the Shabab Al Ordon custodian.

"We would like to please the Jordanian people and fans and we wish that God will help us with this game. It will be a tough game and we wish that we can show a very special performance and be ready for quarter-finals.

"We are all concentrating and focusing on the game, because we are aware that if we lose we will be knocked out."

Under the tutelage of Belgian Vital Borkelmans (pictured above), Jordan stand 90 minutes away from a third AFC Asian Cup quarter-final in 15 years, but they must first defeat a Vietnamese side who squeezed into the last-16 as the fourth highest-ranked team to finish third in their group.

The teams may have arrived to this stage by very different means, but - with the memory of two draws between the nations in UAE 2019 qualifying fresh in the memory - Shafi is full of respect for the recently-crowned champions of Southeast Asia.

"Of course, Vietnam are an improved side," he declared. "They have talented players. A few years ago, they were a good side, but now they are even better.

"Reaching the Round of 16 shows they are a strong team. We will treat this match as a Cup final and hopefully we can get a result."

Shafi has been one of the standout goalkeepers of the competition so far, producing a tournament-best 15 saves and playing a starring role in his side's three successive clean sheets.

While the veteran has kept the goals out at one end, Mousa Suleiman Al Tamari (pictured below) has been instrumental in creating, or finishing chances at the other; scoring one and providing the assists for the other two of Jordan's three goals thus far.

The 21-year-old plays his professional club football with Cypriot champions APOEL, and the tournament revelation's skipper believes his example is one for his Jordanian teammates to follow.

"All players are important to the team and Mousa is a wonderful talent," Shafi said, adding "I hope more Jordanian players follow suit and move abroad.

"He is a young boy representing Jordan in Cyprus, and I hope he goes on to play in bigger European leagues. I hope all players move to the next level after this tournament."


Source: the-afc.com