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Ammon News - By Muath Freij / Jordan Times

AMMAN — Jordanians young and old are counting the hours until their national football team's "big day" on Tuesday in the 2014 World Cup qualifier match against Australia in Melbourne.

In a "make-or-break" game, the team needs to beat Australia and win the following match against Oman to qualify to the World Cup, which will be held in Brazil, for the first time in the Kingdom's history.

"If Jordan beats Australia on Tuesday, Jordanians will take to the streets and celebrate until early morning. This is the most important game in the history of the team," said Mahmoud Mislah, a private sector employee and an avid football fan.

In March, Jordan clinched a 2-1 victory in their World Cup qualifier against Japan in Amman, a win that revived the national team’s hopes to go to Brazil in 2014.

Most fans were optimistic regarding the team's crucial match, while local football experts warned that the game will be difficult and the task not easy.

Jeryes Tadros, former Faisali striker, said the match is expected to be difficult because the national team will play against one of the most experienced teams in Asia.

"Australia have played in the World Cup four times and they have tremendous experience. In reality, the team's task is really tough," added Tadros, who was a member of the national team for 15 years.

He noted that the main factor that helped the squad beat renowned teams like Australia — in the first leg in Amman last year — and Japan, was the players' enthusiasm.

"They want to please their fans in the Kingdom and this is what has helped the team during the World Cup qualifier games," he noted.

Tadros said the first and last 20 minutes are the most important periods in the game.

"If they manage to control the game in these parts, our chances will be good," the former player added.

Issa Turk, a local coach, said the technical staff worked hard on boosting the team's morale.

"The psychological side is really important in these games because there will be great pressure on the players," he added.

Turk noted that in previous difficult situations, the players proved that they could work as a team and achieve positive results.

"When Jordan played against Japan in 2004 in the Asian Cup, most football experts predicted that the game would be an easy win for Japan, but the team proved to be a tough opponent for one of the major teams on the continent," he added.

Former Faisali coach Madhar Al Saeed said if Jordan manages to play well on both defence and offence, the team's chances will be good.

Football fans interviewed by The Jordan Times said they already have plans in place to celebrate if the team wins Tuesday's game.

Mohammad Abu Khalaf, an engineer, said he contacted his friends to gather in one place in the capital to celebrate should the team emerge victorious.

"I will serve kunafeh if they win," he added.

Although the game will take place at noon during working hours, Abu Khalaf and other football fans said they will not miss it.

Some football fans urged the government via social media to make Tuesday an official holiday so that they can watch this important game.

"My colleagues and I decided to listen to the radio at the office to get regular updates on the game's results," Abu Khalaf added, noting that "no one will probably be able to focus on work on Tuesday".

Mislah, however, made sure he would not miss the match by applying for leave three days ahead of the event.

"Most of my colleagues are taking the day off... This is a game that everyone wants to watch," the 27-year-old added.