Hong Kong: Goalkeeper Amer Shafi has revealed he is aiming to play for his country until he is 40 years old as Jordan get set to resume their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 qualifying campaign in Vietnam next Tuesday.
Jordan’s captain and most capped player, with 138 appearances, began his career with the national team back in 2002 and has already starred at three AFC Asian Cups but has no immediate plans to hang up his gloves.
And, after narrowly missing out on the third round of qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, Shafi’s next target is to lead his side to a fourth continental competition in five attempts.
“It’s the dream of every player to play for their country, which is why every player in the world gives their best to be part of it,” said the charismatic Shafi.
“I started in 2002, when it was the first big steps for the Jordanian national team under coach Mahmoud Al Gohary. Since then I have been with three different generations and have seen a lot of progress and development.
“A goalkeeper has a longer lifespan than a player, so I’m hoping to be at the next AFC Asian Cup in the UAE and I hope give my best for the team until I am 40 years old.”
Jordan qualified for their first-ever AFC Asian Cup in 2004 in China, where they reached the quarter-finals before losing on penalties to eventual winners Japan.
Shafi and his teammates again made the last eight seven years later in Qatar with a squad that the custodian labels as the finest he has played with, but he also remains very positive about the current crop of players.
“In my opinion the best team has been the one that qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, but I’m seeing a good generation at the moment,” noted the goalkeeper.
“We have a very young average age and I see good potential so I hope we can achieve good results.”
Jordan began the third round of their AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a resounding 7-0 victory over Cambodia in Amman and, with Vietnam and Afghanistan making up the four-team Group C, are strong favourites to advance.
Tuesday’s clash in Ho Chi Minh City is followed by a double header with Afghanistan in September and October, by which time the Jordanians will hope to be well on their way to confirming a place in the Emirates.
“We are currently producing good results and if we keep doing that we will qualify for the tournament,” added Shafi, whose team were eliminated at the group stage of the continental competition in Australia in 2015.
Jordan at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015
“If we get there, we will believe in this group, believe in their potential and be ready to achieve good results to do well in the UAE.
“The main highlight [for the national team] has been qualifying for the 2004 Asian Cup in China because it was a huge thing at that stage in my career. But if we can qualify for the next tournament, that will also be a big highlight.”
One obstacle the Jordanians could face against Vietnam is fatigue due to the fact that Ramadan has fallen earlier than normal this year.
“Some of the players are fasting so cannot eat or drink during the day until sunset,” explained Shafi.
“Obviously they find it difficult because they are dehydrated and don’t have a lot of energy, but they are used to it and still willing to sacrifice for the holy month.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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