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BRISBANE: Jordan coach Ray Wilkins believes his team cannot afford to lose their AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 opener against Iraq if they are to return to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

“We could live with a draw,” Wilkins said at Brisbane Stadium on the eve of Jordan’s first Group D game versus the 2007 champions.

“But then we have to score a lot of goals in our remaining games and that will be a big problem for us. Ideally we would like to win, but to not be defeated is important as well.

“In any tournament - and I’ve been fortunate to play in a few of them myself - the first game is of the utmost importance. Japan are obviously the strongest team in the group but nevertheless, it’s 11 guys against 11 guys so every game will be extremely tough but the first game is very important.”

The former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder has only been in charge since September and has yet to lead Jordan to a win ahead of the nation’s third Asian Cup appearance. They reached the quarter-finals in 2004 and 2011.

Monday’s game will be Jordan’s first competitive match under Wilkins, who seems to have no illusions about the task he is facing. Wilkins’ contract is up at the end of the tournament but the former England international wants to extend the relationship after what will hopefully be a productive Asian Cup.

“I think we’re in a tough group. Every game will be extremely difficult but we are prepared to start our campaign tomorrow (Monday),” he said.

It’s quite refreshing when you work with these young men because everything you ask of them, they try to put into practice. We have a situation back in England where we have some big, big players and they’re not always as responsive as these guys have been.

Mahmood in demand

Iraqi legend Younus Mahmood has said that he will decide on his career after the Asian Cup , his fourth appearance at the continental championship.

The 2007 AFC Asian Cup MVP and scorer of the goal that won the title for Iraq turns 32 next month and currently does not play club football.

“I’ve had a lot of contract offers from Qatari league, also from China,” Mahmood said on the eve of Iraq’s first game against Jordan. “But I was with the Olympic team at the Asian Games and did not have enough time to make a decision. My friend, Ali Abbas of Sydney FC, said Sydney were interested in signing me.

“I think after the Asian Cup, I’ll sit down with the coaching staff and decide my future in football.”

Radhi Shenaishil’s side have come into Australia 2015 with plenty of warm-up matches under their belt, including games against Kuwait, Uzbekistan and Iran.

“Our preparations started about three weeks ago in Baghdad and we had a camp in Dubai and we followed through to Australia,” Shenaishil said. “During this period we had five friendly matches.

“It’s a very important match, the first match against Jordan. I think both teams have the same chance. The team that produces on the day, the one that applies what they’ve been training, will have the better result.

“The first match is a sensitive match. You can’t predict what’s going to happen in a match. We are working with the players to give our country something to be happy about from this match.”