Faisali, Jazira represent Jordan in AFC Cup

AMMAN — Faisali host Syria’s Wathba on Monday while Jazira play Dhofar in Oman on Tuesday as both Jordanian teams kick off participation in the 17th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup — the second-tier Asian club competition.

After an impressive local season, Jazira were close to winning the 2018/19 AFC Cup title last year, but they failed to make it to the competition final after they lost the West Asia zone final to Lebanon’s Ahed, who eventually won the title. Wihdat were eliminated in the semis of the West Asia zone.

Twelve West Asian teams will play in three groups with the top team from the each  group in addition to the best second placed team advancing to the semifinal round of the zone and the winner advancing to the eventual competition final against the East Asia champ.

It has been 13 years since Jordanian teams won the AFC Cup. Faisali won in 2005 and 2006 and Shabab Urdun won in 2007. Other Jordanian teams participating in previous editions include Ramtha, Hussein, That Ras and Ahli.

Kuwait Club and the Iraqi Air Force Club are AFC Cup record winners having been crowned champs three times each.

Earlier this year, the continents’ leading competition — the AFC Champions League — saw Faisali eliminated by Kuwait Club in the preliminary round. Jordanian teams have never before made it past the ACL preliminary round. In the 2018 and 2019 editions, Faisali were knocked out, while Wihdat were knocked out in 2017, 2016 and 2015 and Shabab Urdun in 2014.

On the Arab scene, Shabab Urdun reached the Round of 16 of the Arab Club Champions Cup, but were the eliminated although they had ousted titleholders Tunisia’s Etoile Sportive Du Sahel in the preliminary round. 

As the local season kicked off, the Jordan Football Association Shield has reached its semifinal round which will see Wihdat take on Shabab Urdun and Ramtha go up against Sarih.

Last season, Faisali were crowned Jordan Professional Football League champs and combined it with their 20th Jordan Cup title. Jazira were second and Wihdat third in the league. Wihdat beat Jazira to win the 36th Jordan Super Cup.