Jazira lead league; JFA imposes fines

AMMAN  — Jazira head into Week 4 of the Jordan Professional Football League on Friday with the aim of further consolidating their lead after they scored three convincing wins over former champions Faisali, Wihdat and Shabab Urdun.

With leading teams stumbling, the top three positions have been taken over by Jazira, Hussein and newcomers Manshieh, while titleholders Wihdat slipped to 6th, Faisali to 9th and Ramtha to 11th. The traditional leading teams are in disarray and many expect changes in coaching positions with disappointing results so far.

That seemed to have started with Faisali who removed Iraqi coach Tha’er Jassam, just as the club faced another headache with financial settlements and deferred dues. Jassam’s removal comes shortly after Jamal Abu Abed left the post at the start of the season. Many had hoped Abu Abed, who was a successful coach of the Olympic team, would help bring back the league title to his former club after four seasons.

Meanwhile, the Jordan Football Association imposed heavy fines after Ramtha fans caused damage at Amman International Stadium, which was recently fully renovated to host the U-17 Women’s World Cup. Ramtha was fined over JD4,000 while striker Hamza Dardour was suspended for six matches and fined JD1,500 for assaulting a Shabab Urdun player. Wihdat was also fined JD600 for unsportsmanlike conduct of fans following their match against Jazira.

In the upcoming week, Jazira who last beat Wihdat 2-1 and took the lead from Hussein will next play Sarih who are 7th after they held Sahab 2-2.

Hussein, now second on goal difference after they held Baqa’a 1-1, next play Sahab who are 8th after their latest draw.

Manshieh, now third on points after they held Faisali 0-0, next play Shabab Urdun, who are fourth after they beat Ramtha 3-0.

Ahli who kept a relatively steady form beat That Ras 2-0 and moved to fifth and next play Faisali. While Wihdat who are now 6th will play Ramtha.

The season opened with Ahli making history when they beat reigning league champs Wihdat 2-1 to win the 34th Super Cup – the first major competition on the 2016/17 football calendar. Shabab Urdun scored a major 5-1 win over Faisali to win the Jordan Football Association Shield — back on the calendar after four years. It was Shabab Urdun’s second Shield title after they first won in 2007.

Last season, Wihdat retained the title in the final week with Faisali, Ahli, Jazira and Shabab Urdun in top five spots. Sahab and Manshieh were promoted from the First Division. It was Wihdat’s third consecutive and 15th league title since they moved up to the Professional League in 1975. Faisali beat Wihdat to clinch the Super Cup while it was Ahli, who after years in the backstage, beat Shabab Urdun to win their first Jordan Cup final.