Asian Cup 2015: Sepp Blatter’s vice-president Ali Bin Al-Hussein backed to take over FIFA

JORDAN coach Ray Wilkins says Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein is the perfect man to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

FILE - In this Monday, May 26, 2014.file photo Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, left, is greeted by FIFA Vice President, Jordan's Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein, right, prior to their meeting on the first day of Blatter's regional tour to Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel, in Amman, Jordan. Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan will stand for election in a bid to oust Sepp Blatter as leader of football's scandal-hit world governing body. (AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon, File)

JORDAN coach Ray Wilkins says Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein is the perfect man to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

The Jordanian prince and FIFA vice-president this week signalled his intention to run against Blatter, who will seek a fifth term in May’s election.

Prince Ali faces an uphill battle, with the Asian Football Confederation reportedly backing Blatter.

However, former Chelsea and Manchester United star Wilkins suggested it would be foolish to write off the Prince’s chances of deposing Blatter.

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FIFA vice-president Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein (R) has signalled his plans to challenge Sepp Blatter.

“I’ve been involved with Prince Ali now for five months ... this is right for him,” said Wilkins soon after arriving in Brisbane with his Jordan team, who meet Iraq in a Group D Asian Cup clash at Suncorp Stadium on Monday night.

“He’s the man, he’s very positive, he’s very straight, he’s down the line (and) what he says he does.

“He has worked miracles in Jordan with the young players and their footballing ability.

“It’s massive (to challenge Blatter) but ... he would have done his homework, and that’s the important thing.

“I support him. I think the English Premier league will support him, I think UEFA will support him, so I think he has a massive backing before he goes in to challenge Blatter.

“It’s about time Blatter was challenged. It’s about time we have a change.”

Wilkins also relished the challenge Jordan faced to progress from Group D to the knockout stages of the Asian Cup.

Japan and Iraq are favoured to qualify ahead of Jordan and Palestine, but Wilkins remained optimistic.

“The games will be very difficult and it’s the same situation for every team. It’ll be very difficult to win but we will try our best to win,” he said.

“We have a great bunch of guys. We’re looking forward to playing against Iraq, then Palestine (on Friday week in Melbourne) and hopefully by then we’ve done our business, and then we can relax against Japan (on January 20 in Melbourne).

“We’ve trained very well, the guys are well prepared, the fitness levels have improved, so I’m thankful for that and I’m ready now to start the tournament.”