Wihdat celebrate League title as Jazira content with runner-up

AMMAN — The 63rd Jordan Professional League — a season that witnessed many postponements and disruptions and probably had an impact on fan attendance and competitive edge of most teams — is finally over.

Wihdat scored a 3-0 win over Ramtha to take home their 14th League title. However, for the first time in years, the runner-up and third place went to Jazira and Ramtha respectively.

Even Wihdat did not impress fans this season. Jazira were the best team with an undefeated record in Leg 2 but could not capitalise and strive for the title, while Ramtha, who led early in the competition and had an excellent Leg 1, settled for third. 

The top six battled for advanced positions and prize money with the champ netting in JD120,000, runner-up JD80,000, third JD35,000, fourth JD15,000 fifth JD12,500 and sixth JD7,500. The top two will also represent Jordan in regional events such as the Asian Football Confederation Cup and Asian Champions League.

Apart from the top three, the biggest battle was at the other end of the standings with the relegation of Ittihad Ramtha to Division 1, after failing to score a single win, not coming as a surprise, former champs Shabab Urdun and Faisali could have easily followed suit. It was only in the final week that Baqaa also held on to their position and Manshieh were relegated.

The last week decided the final standings as Jazira beat Sarih 1-0 to hold on to second, Shabab Urdun beat Hussein 1-0, veterans Ahli, who were previously relegated, finished fifth after losing 1-0 to Faisali, Baqaa beat Ittihad Ramtha 2-1 and Manshieh edged That Ras 1-0.

So far, Wihdat won two titles in the 2014/15 season after they beat Baqaa to snatch the 32nd Super Cup. The Jordan Cup semis have now been decided to start on May 15 when Faisali play Wihdat and Ramtha face That Ras. 

Last season, Wihdat won the League and the Jordan Cup while Shabab Urdun won the Super Cup. The Jordan Football Association Shield was not held.

Professional League record *:

Faisali (33 times): 1944, 45, 59, 60-66, 70-74, 76, 77, 83, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90-93, 99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011

Wihdat (14 times): 1980, 87, 91, 94, 95, 96, 97, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014

Ahli (8 times): 1947, 49, 50, 51, 54, 75, 78, 79

Jazira (3 times): 1952, 55, 56

Ramtha (twice): 1981, 82

Shabab Urdun Ramtha (twice): 2005, 2012

Amman: 1984

Urdun: 1946 

* The Professional League was not held in 1948, 1953, 1957, 1958, 1968, 1969 and 1998.