Jordan chasing group D upset against Japan

Jan 19, 2015 - 8:51 AM They're playing in the Asian Cup but Jordan boss Ray Wilkins says European football will be a decisive factor in the continental tournament.

Ahead of Jordan's do-or-die match with Japan in Melbourne on Tuesday night, the former Chelsea and Manchester United player said sides with European-based talent were set to shine.

"The majority of sides that have European based players have become stronger," he said.

"The way they train, the amount of games they play, the physicality of the game in Europe is intense.

"What you'll see now is the strength and the power of the players that play in Europe come through.

"(Against Japan) we have to change that mode."

Wilkins's notion is certainly supported by the results in the 20 group games played so far.

By Wilkins own reckoning, that sets Jordan up for a fall in their final group match but the affable Londoner has not given up hope of an unlikely result.

"I wouldn't class (a loss) as a disaster, Japan are an extremely talented side, our Jordanian side is a team in transition," he said.

"There hasn't been an upset, but there's a first time for everything."

The Group D equation is simple for Japan - avoid defeat to finish in top spot.

Should the Blue Samurai lose to Jordan, eyes will turn to the simultaneously played Iraq v Palestine match to work out the final standings.

If Iraq, Jordan and Japan end up on six points, goal difference and goals scored from other group matches will enter the equation.

With that in mind, Japan coach Javier Aguirre said he wouldn't be lifting his foot off the accelerator.

"Tomorrow we will go to win the game," he said.

"We will not do calculations, we will respect Jordan but we will go to win and not to draw."

Japan are likely to face Jordan's Ahmed Hayel after the striker recovered from an alleged illness from a bungled drug test.

A Jordan team spokesperson was at pains to say Hayel was free to play without the threat of sanction despite not completing the test.

Source: AAP