As Tuesday tick over to Wednesday, Austria and Jordan go head to head for Santa Clara wey dey Levi’s Stadium to start their World Cup campaign.
Argentina na the overwhelming favourites to win Group J, but the qualification spots behind them still dey open and Austria believe say them fit finish second.
So victory for this match almost crucial for the Austrian side.
Jordan, on the other hand, dey make their World Cup debut here. A spirited showing na the top priority for Jamal Sellami’s side, but dreams of sneaking through to the knockout stages likely depend on getting any positive result for this game.
Austria, wey Ralf Rangnick dey lead, don return to World Cup for the first time since 1998, and the players expect to celebrate that occasion with victory here.
Make nobody let Austria’s 28-year absence fool them. This side no be underdog, but a dark horse wey fit cause problems for many of Europe’s best teams.
A deep run this summer fit be a step too far, but Austria no go be pushover.
Jordan’s aspirations no dey so high. Just reaching the World Cup na accomplishment for these players, wey go focus on trying to avoid a bruising defeat.
Influential midfielder Christoph Baumgartdon was forced to withdraw from the roster before the tournament, causing a bit of rethink in attack for Rangnick.
The Austria boss also dey sweat over the fitness of star defender David Alaba, wey don dey battle injury, but the departing Real Madrid centre back expected to pass a late fitness test and slot into the back line.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka, formerly of Chelsea and Aston Villa, dey prepare for his first major tournament after switching his allegiance from England earlier this year.
Austria predicted lineup against Jordan for 4-2-3-1: A Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; X Schalger, Seiwald; Schmid, Sabitzer, Gregoritsch; Arnautović.
Jordan don suffer their own crushing withdrawals, namely Ibrahim Sabra and Yazan Al Naimat.
The danger man to watch na, without question, Rennes winger Mousa Tamari, wey finish this past Ligue 1 season with six goals and nine assists to his name.
The 23-year-old dey comfortable on the left but spend most of his time on the right side of attack.
Jordan predicted lineup against Austria for 3-4-3: Abulaila; Obaid, Al-Arab, Nasib; Haddad, Al Rashdan, Al Rawabdeh, Abu Taha; Tamari, Olwan, Fakhoury.
For the United States, the match go show on Fox Sports 1, fuboTV, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, and FOX One. For Canada, e go show on TSN+, TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, RDS, RDS App. For Mexico, e go show on ViX. For United Kingdom, e go show on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport Website.
Tom Gott na associate editor for SI FC, wey enter the world of soccer media in early 2018 after his graduation from Newcastle University. He specialises for all things Premier League, with particular passion for academy soccer, and fit usually find am rebuilding your favourite team for Football Manager.
