Jordan's Soccer Team Leaves For China

Jordan's national football team Sunday departed for China to play a friendly against the host ahead of a crucial match against South Korea on May 31, local Jordan Times reported Monday. It is set to play China on May 25 in what would be the final test for the lineup before the May 31 match, one of the third round qualifiers among Asian Zone's Group 3 for the 2010 World Cup, said the report. The team lost 1-0 in a home match to DPR Korea, but scored an important 2-0 win over Turkmenistan which revived their chances of qualifying. Following the defeat to DPR Korea, head coach Nelo Vingada revamped the squad, bringing in new blood while letting go of many veterans including captain Faisal Ibrahim, who retired from national duty, it said. The regrouped team is scheduled to play return leg against South Korea in Amman on June 7, Turkmenistan on June 14 and DPR Korea on June 22, according to the report. Currently South Korea leads the group and Jordan ranks the third. Only the top two teams are entitled to move into the fourth and last qualifying round.