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U-17 women’s team prepares for World Cup

By Aline Bannayan - Jun 11,2016 - Last updated at Jun 11,2016

AMMAN — Now that the draw for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Jordan 2016 is done, Jordan’s U-17 team is upbeat and preparing for a tough task ahead.

The national team is looking to play some friendlies before travelling for two training camps in Munich, Germany, starting July 20 and then to London, the UK, on August 8 where they are slated to play Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United then Chelsea.

Host Jordan will be the only Arab team at the U-17 World Cup after other Arab teams — Egypt and Morocco — were eliminated from the qualifiers.

The 16 teams were divided into four groups. The draw put Jordan in Group A, facing Spain September 30 in the opener at Amman International Stadium on September 30. They will also play Mexico on October 3 and New Zealand on October 7 in the first round.

Group B includes Venezuela, Germany, Cameron and Canada, Group C includes Nigeria, Brazil, England and North Korea while Group D consists of the US, Paraguay, Ghana and title holders Japan. The top two teams from each group move on to Round 2.

 The 32 matches over the course of 22 days will be hosted at four stadia: Amman International Stadium, King Abdullah II Stadium in Qweismeh, Al Hassan Stadium in Irbid and Prince Mohammad Stadium in Al Zarqa.

“This tournament will be a milestone for women’s football in the region and the world. And we hope you enjoy our hospitality, whilst in the country,” HRH Prince Ali, the president of the Jordan Football Association, told the press conference at the draw last week. 

“It has been a long and challenging journey to get here, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported this challenge. Most of all, I’d like to thank our girls... if it wasn’t for all their dedication and determination, we wouldn’t be here for this draw today,” he added. 

Jordan’s head coach Robert Johnson said the team would play against tough competitors to make to the next round. “Qualifying to the second round is our objective, “ he said.

 

FIFA Rankings are headed by the US, Germany are 2nd, UK 3rd, Japan 7th, Brazil 8th, North Korea 9th, Canada 10th, Spain 15th, New Zealand 16th, Mexico 26th, Nigeria 37th, Cameroon 46th, Ghana 48th while Jordan is top ranked Arab team at 55th. Venezuela are 64th and Paraguay is not ranked.

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