{"id":4217,"date":"2024-02-08T04:03:38","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T17:33:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?p=4217"},"modified":"2026-09-25T14:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T04:41:20","slug":"jordans-dynamic-duo-al-naimat-and-al-taamari-continue-to-shine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/jordans-dynamic-duo-al-naimat-and-al-taamari-continue-to-shine\/","title":{"rendered":"Jordan\u2019s Dynamic Duo: Al-Naimat and Al-Taamari continue to shine"},"content":{"rendered":"

There was something exuberant about it, move after move, a noticeable pattern that you could recognise but could do little to stop.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It starts with Mousa Al-Taamari conjuring the ball off the defender. Then Yazan Al-Naimat accelerates rapidly, his run going away from the ball, into space. By this point, you\u2019d instinctively feel both will combine and in quick succession, Jordan will score. And, they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Jordan\u2019s duo combined upfront \u2013 as they have done incisively throughout the tournament \u2013 the spectacle mostly revolved around whether Korea Republic would finally be the team that would figure out a way to limit them to just a goal. In turn, they were capable of pulling something off, like they had done late against Saudi Arabia and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That did not happen. An inspired Jordan side led by their number 10 and 11 was all over them, with the tally of 17 shots to eight, furthering into seven on target to none, not a misleading figure. Through balls, interceptions, relentless pressing, and runs from the deep \u2013 you name it, the duo caused all sorts of havoc to the Korean defense that had been limping in Kim Min-jae\u2019s absence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such was the chemistry, one facilitating the other and complimenting the stylistic difference between the two, like the dynamic duo: Batman and Robin. Different, yet complimentary. One plots, the other finishes. The other dribbles to find his teammate inside the box. Who is who between them remains up for debate, especially considering the individual versatility put on show by either one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Al-Taamari, however, abstains from comparison. \u201cI am the first Mousa Al-Taamari from Lebanon,\u201d he quipped after the game when asked about his thoughts on comparisons with Mohamed Salah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The flashes came about when the Montpellier attacker set off for a run. About 13 minutes after he provided the killer pass for Al-Naimat\u2019s goal, Al-Taamari started from the middle of the pitch, walking past the Korean defence like training cones before putting it beyond the keeper\u2019s reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a tournament that so far has been heavily influenced by duos \u2013 from the Qatar\u2019s Hassan Al Haydos-Akram Afif to the superstar pairing of Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, as well as Iran\u2019s Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun, it is not an overstatement to say Al-Taamari and Al-Naimat have been the most entertaining to watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ten goal contributions between them barely paints the whole picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against a side that Jordan shared a point courtesy of a late equaliser in the group stages, the duo got to work early on. Perhaps the most prominent of first half chances came in the 42nd minute, as Al-Taamari intercepted the ball off Jung Seung-hyun, ultimately finding Al-Naimat again, whose dribble past three defenders almost seemed like he was floating. It took a Jo Hyeon-woo save to deny the dynamic duo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They kept coming, however, like the had done throughout the tournament. Al-Taamari\u2019s job throughout has been to conjure with tenacity, his runs off the ball being equally as vital to Jordan\u2019s progression. Yazan, on the other hand, has often been the focal point in the box \u2013 more of a Robin than a Batman \u2013 picking his moments and owning them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Off the pitch, however, it was the Robin who became the Batman \u2013 leading the celebrations after securing their historic place in the final. The moment of madness came when Al-Naimat got himself tangled in the net, attempting to climb at the goalpost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will bring the Asian Cup to Jordan,\u201d was seen chanting in an Instagram story from the dressing room. The celebrations did not stop just there \u2013 the Al Ahli forward crashed his teammate\u2019s interviews, ran through the mixed zone, thanking the supporters and proimising to continue doing what he does in the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both, however, are humble enough to credit it to the whole squad, extending to their fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis victory started with the fans, not us,\u201d Al-Taamari said, also crediting coach Hussein Ammouta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe instilled in us a winning culture. This man told us to have fun \u2013 yes, in a semi-final.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordan seem to be having fun the most on the pitch so far. The fans\u2019 ecstasy will last \u2013 but it will take one last Batman-Robin job to bring the trophy home to Jordan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo: Asian Football Confederation<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen to The Asian Game Podcast<\/strong> LIVE from Souq Waqif at the AFC Asian Cup 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n