MANAMA (Bahrain): Versatile defender Anas Bani Yaseen is one of those players Jordanians will be pinning their hopes on in the Asian Qualifiers for the the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
For their part, Jordan know they may well require maximum points from their three remaining fixtures, all away from home, against Kuwait, Nepal and Australia.
Bani Yaseen is currently based in Qatar, where he has been isolating since the football season was suspended.
With games set to restart in July, the 31-year old made time to sit down with FIFA.com ahead of a return to training with Al Markhiya, who he joined at the beginning of the year.
Bani Yaseen has had to endure his COVID-19 confinement in Doha without the support of family members after international flights there were suspended.
“Yes, this is perhaps the most difficult period of my professional career,” he said. “It’s true that I’ve had many playing stints abroad, but on those occasions most of my time was devoted to training and matches. During this pandemic, I’ve had to be very patient.
“I’ve been exercising at home to maintain my fitness until we can play competitive games again. I also tried to cook some Jordanian meals and think I did a good job, thanks to the help I received from family via video calls.”
Inextricably linked to many of the country’s finest achievements, he was captain of the youth team that reached the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007, scored the goal that secured Jordan a spot at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and was Al Nashama’s hero in their historic win against Australia in their opening match of the 2019 edition of the Continental Finals.
When the action eventually resumes, several fiercely contested groups will ensure the race for the 12 available final round qualifying places for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is sure to be exciting.
With Al Nashama currently in third place, behind Kuwait on goal difference and only two points adrift of the Socceroos, they will need their top players available and at their best if they are to avoid a repeat of their Russia 2018 campaign, which ended at the group stage. (Source: AFC)
