Jordan Cup semis kick off

AMMAN — Wihdat fans pin hopes on a highly anticipated match against Faisali while Salt play Hussein in the semifinals of the last event on the local 2021 football calendar — the Jordan Cup.

The competition initially brought together Second and Third Division clubs playing to advance winners who joined First Division and Pro League teams in the second stage. There were interesting results such as Sahab reaching the quarters after eliminating Shabab Urdun and Faisali ousting Ramtha in key matches in the Round of 16.

On their way to the semis, Wihdat beat Jazira, Hussein ousted Aqaba, Faisali eliminated Sahab on penalties while Salt eliminated Ma’an. 

Since the Cup started in 1980, there have been 39 past editions with Faisali a record 20 time champions. Wihdat won 10 times, Jazira, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun twice each, while Arabi, That Ras and Ahli won once each. Last year, the Jordan Cup was scrapped from the agenda for the first time since the competition kicked off in 1980.

This season, local competitions saw Ramtha win the Jordan Professional Football League title for the third time in their history ending a 39 year drought. Ramtha only secured the title they last won in 1981 and 1982 in the final week of the competition edging out holders Wihdat who settled for second place, as Salt remained third, Faisali came in fourth, followed by Hussein, Shabab Urdun, Jazira, Aqaba, Sahab and Ma’an while Baqa’a were relegated in their worst season yet and were accompanied by Jalil.

Earlier in this season, a newcomer to the Pro League, relatively unknown Jalil, overcame Wihdat to win the 34th Jordan Football Association Shield. Wihdat beat one-time winners Jazira in the 38th Jordan Super Cup. 

On the regional scene, Salt, who played their inaugural Asian Football Confederation Cup, were eliminated by Kuwait FC in the semifinals of the West Asia Zone, while Faisali were knocked out in the group stages. Wihdat played Group D of the Asian Champions League but was knocked out in the first round.