Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - In a surprise move, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania, accompanied by HRH Prince Hashem Bin Abdullah, on Thursday received Jordan’s national football team upon their arrival at Marka Airport from Uruguay, where they played their final match in their World Cup run, drawing 0-0 with the host and leaving the competition after recording Jordan’s best ever football achievement.

According to a Royal Court statement, His Majesty told the team that he was proud of their performance, regardless of the result, commending their determination and the progress Jordan’s football has made.

He told the squad: “I watched the match and I am proud of the result. I wanted to be here receiving you and I want you to be comfortable. You have all my support and that of all Jordanians.”

His Majesty also thanked HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association, for his efforts in supporting the team.

Earlier in the day, the King said on Twitter that in its quest for a seat in the World Cup finals in Brazil, the squad made a great achievement that told Jordan’s story of strife and challenge, regardless of the outcome of the match.

On the Royal Court Twitter account @RHCJO following the Nashama’s epic 0-0 tie with Uruguay in Montevideo, the King tweeted (in Arabic): “It is not about the match’s result; it is about the story of challenge you stood up to face with no fear or hesitation.”

In another line, the King, who exhibited his support for the squad since the competition started, said: “You embodied the Jordanian spirit manifested in standing the face of challenges and making much out of the little.”

Addressing the team, King Abdullah said on Twitter: “To the Nashama… I send my greetings, coupled with a sense of pride that you have gone this far, reaching this record achievement. You’ve set an example of accomplishment and challenge.”

His remarks were echoed by Jordanians across the board, with social media sites overwhelmed with praise for the team, which was defeated 5-0 by Uruguay, a two-time World Cup winner, in the first leg of the play-off in Amman


* Jordan Times