Wihdat, Jazira aim for wins

AMMAN — Wihdat play Salam Zgharta in Tripoli, Lebanon, while Jazira host Palestine’s Wadi Ness on Tuesday in Stage 4 of the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

Wihdat are in second place, on goal difference, in Group A behind Syria’s Wihda and aim to capitalise on their 5-1 win over hosts in the home game to take the group lead.

The team is on a high note after securing the Jordan Professional League title this week for the 14th time.

“We aim to take the group lead and qualify in the event. We will play each match with that end results in mind,” Wihdat coach Abdullah Abu Zam’eh was quoted as saying in the local media as the team prepared in Tripoli. 

“Despite our home game result, we are heading into the match fully respecting our opponents ability, and taking into consideration they are playing a home game.”

Wihdat last drew 1-1 with Wihda. In earlier matches, Wihdat lost 1-0 to Wihda in Leg 1 after they beat Oman’s Nahda 3-0 and Salam Zgharta 5-1. 

After exiting the AFC Champions League, losing 1-0 to ACL and AFC Cup titleholders Kuwait’s Qadissieh, Wihdat hope to advance in the AFC Cup this season. The League champs have never won the AFC Cup in the past seven times they competed.

Jazira are taking part for the first time after two-time AFC Cup champs and League runner-up Faisali declined to take part this season.

Jazira lead Group B after they scored their first group win over Bahrain’s Hidd 1-0. Earlier, they held Hidd 1-1 and drew with Iraq’s Shurta and Palestine’s Wadi Al Ness by the same score. 

Jazira have had an excellent season at home, and are now third in the League. Playing on the regional scene has added to their competitive experience and profile as they are among 32 clubs from across the continent competing in eight groups with the top two from each group going on to the Round of 16.

Last year, first time AFC Cup competitors Jordan Cup champs That Ras exited the Round of 16 while former AFC Cup champs Shabab Urdun exited in Round 1. They were also eliminated by Bahrain’s Hidd in their preliminary round of the AFC Champions League.

The second-tier Asian club competition was won by Syria’s Jeish in its inaugural edition in 2004. Jordan’s Faisali won in 2005 and 2006, and Shabab Urdun in 2007.

Standings