Khaberni - The national football team under 17 lost to its Saudi counterpart in a penalty shootout 3-4, after the original time ended with a 1-1 draw, in the match that took place on Sunday evening at the Aqaba Stadium, within the semi-finals of the West Asia U17 Championship.
The national team's goal came from Mamdouh Abu Saad at the 48th minute.
The team lineup for the match included: Azad Yaish, Mohammad Al-Sheikh, Faisal Abu Deheim (Amir Al-Louzi), Bashar Marqa, Nour Al-Dein Amro, Ahmad Al-Kharabsheh (Mohanad Al-Asal), Yazan Qaddada, Osama Al-Johari, Suleiman Alyan (Mamdouh Abu Saad), Mohammad Khalil, Laith Al-Rabie (Ahmad Al-Maraeyeh)(Sand Tabishat).
The match started quickly from both sides, with the opponent scoring the first goal at the 12th minute, before the national team imposed its superiority as the minutes passed, with the crossbar denying Suleiman Aleyan a definite goal, while the Saudi goalkeeper skillfully parried a strong shot from Yazan Qaddada, ending the first half with Saudi leading by one goal.
In the second half, the national team continued its offensive pressure, with multiple attempts, notably through Osama Al-Johari and Laith Al-Rabie, before the substitute Mamdouh Abu Saad succeeded in scoring the equalizing goal at the 88th minute, leading the match to penalty kicks which ended in favor of the "Saudi" with a score of 4-3.
It is noted that the national U17 team was in Group Five in the Asian Cup qualifiers for juniors, alongside Australia, Iraq, the Philippines, and Bhutan, with the qualifiers taking place from November 22 to 30.
The Jordanian Football Association looks forward through providing training camps and friendly matches for the national U17 team, to achieve the highest levels of preparation and support, in lead up to upcoming commitments, especially the Asian Cup qualifiers for juniors.
