Teams vie for Jordan Cup title

AMMAN — Clubs have just finished competition in the Jordan Professional League, but the second major event — the Jordan Cup — enters its semifinal stage Friday.

The Jordan Cup semis will see Ramtha face That Ras while Faisali play Wihdat Saturday in Leg 1 matches. Leg 2 is slated for May 18-19 before the final is played later this month.

Leg 1 quarter-final matches saw Ahli hold Ramtha 1-1, That Ras beat Jazira 1-0, Wihdat edge Sarih 1-0 and Faisali beat Manshieh 2-1. In Leg 2, Faisali held Manshieh 1-1, Wihdat held Sarih 0-0, That Ras beat Jazira 4-3 on penalties, and Ramtha edged Ahli 2-1.

Baqaa, Shabab Urdun and Hussein were eliminated earlier in the competition in which only League teams played this year. 

So far in the 2014/15 season, Wihdat won two titles. They beat Baqaa to snatch the 32nd Super Cup and last week won the Jordan Professional League, taking home their 14th League title. However, for the first time in years, the runner-up and third places went to Jazira and Ramtha.

Apart from the top three, the biggest battle was at the other end of the standings. Ittihad Ramtha and Manshieh dropped to Division 1 after former champs Shabab Urdun and Faisali were among teams which could have easily followed suit. It was only in the final week that Baqaa also held on to their position.

Last season, Wihdat won the League, and beat Baqaa to win the Jordan Cup while Shabab Urdun edged That Ras to win the Super Cup. The Jordan Football Association Shield was not held.