Jalil join Shield winners

AMMAN — A newcomer to the Jordan Professional Footall League (Pro League), relatively unknown Jalil, overcame Wihdat to win the 34th Jordan Football Association Shield — the first of the 2021 season competitions. Jalil beat Wihdat 6-5 on penalties after the match ended 1-1.

Wihdat scored the fastest goal of the competition to lead 1-0 in the 37th second before Jalil managed to level the match in the 20th minute. Jalil took home JD15,000 and the runner-up JD10,000.

On their way to the final, Wihdat beat Faisali while Jalil ousted Jazira in semifinal played at Prince Mohammad Stadium in Zarqa. Jalil joined the ranks of veteran clubs who won the title before: Wihdat — a record 10 time winners, Faisali (7), Ramtha (5), Hussein (3), Jazira and Amman and Shabab Urdun twice each, Kufrsoum, Yarmouk and Jalil once each.

Hussein were finalists seven times. Amman, have since scrapped football while Qadissieh have since merged with Shabab Urdun. Last season, Wihdat defeated Ramtha to win the club’s 10th JFA Shield adding it to their 17th Pro League crown. In other events, Faisali overcame Jazira to win the club’s 17th title of the Jordan Super Cup.

The Jordan Cup was scrapped from the agenda for the first time since the competition kicked off in 1980. Jalil and Baqa’a joined the 12 club Pro League this year as Sarih dropped alongside veterans Ahli after a disappointing season.