The coach of the Jordanian national team, Moroccan Hussein Amotta, has urged his team to exert efforts and fight in the upcoming match against South Korea on Tuesday in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup, if they aim to reach the final match.
During the press conference dedicated to the match today, Monday, Amotta stated, “We must work hard and fight hard to overcome South Korea,” adding, “Players need to focus greatly to achieve a respectable result.
We need the efforts of the whole group.”
Amotta considered that South Korea playing extra time twice in the knockout stages, against Saudi Arabia (winning on penalties) and Australia (winning in extra time), does not mean anything, as the Korean team possesses immense mental, technical, and physical capabilities.
He emphasized that their players are accustomed to playing within short time frames in their clubs, so he does not believe they will suffer in this regard.
Regarding the slight injury suffered by Jordan’s star winger Musa Al-Taamari from Montpellier in the quarter-final against Tajikistan, Amotta said, “Al-Taamari rested in the last two days because he was exhausted, and he will be present in training today and ready to play the match.”
He also stated, “We rely heavily on the crowd’s presence to support the team as it did in the previous matches.”
Asked about the criticisms he faced before the start of the continental championship, Amotta said, “I do not care about what people and the media say.
I believe in the work I do through seriousness, making the right decisions, and giving opportunities to those who deserve them.”
Jordan previously met South Korea in the group stage and led 2-1 until injury time when they conceded an own goal scored by their defender Yazan Al-Arab.
In contrast, midfielder Ibrahim Saada believes that the Jordanian team is ready to face Korea, saying, “No one expected us to reach this point in the tournament.
There is pressure, but we are ready to make history.”
He added, “We reviewed the previous mistakes with the coaching staff in all the matches, and they gave us advice to correct them.”
Jurgen Klinsmann, the German coach of South Korea, said, “My players are excited to play in the semi-final.
We are hungry and physically ready.
The atmosphere within the team is positive, but we expect a tough match.”
Regarding his advice to the players before the semi-final based on his extensive experience as a player who went through this experience before, he said, “Maintaining calmness and looking forward, erasing all negative things and what they read in the newspapers.
This group has the experience and the thirst to reach the final.
Players need to have a high mental state and confidence.”
He added, “I am proud to coach this team and experience a wonderful first experience in the Asian Cup.
I want to pass on my experience to my team players.”
The International Midfielder Huang In-Byeom expressed hope that “all the dramatic moments experienced by the team in the knockout stages and the group stage will result in a happy ending for his team in the tournament,” noting “the great sacrifices made by each individual in the team to achieve the most important goal and win the title.”
South Korea is chasing its first continental title in 64 years. The last time it reached the final was in the 2015 edition in Australia, where it lost to the host country 1-2 after extra time.
