Amman — Al-Faisaly will look to continue its progress in the AFC Champions League Two when it hosts Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun at 9:15 p.m. today, Wednesday, at Amman International Stadium, in a Group C matchday-three fixture. Al-Faisaly will seek to claim top spot and strengthen its chances of advancing to the next round.
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The match is particularly important for Al-Faisaly, which hopes to capitalize on home advantage and crowd support against one of its main rivals for a place in the round of 16. A victory would give the team a significant advantage ahead of the start of the return fixtures.
Al-Faisaly enters the match with three points. It opened its campaign with a 4–3 defeat to Qatar’s Al-Rayyan before regaining its balance with a 2–0 victory over Oman’s Al-Nahda in the second round.
Al-Taawoun, meanwhile, leads the group with four points after drawing 1–1 with Al-Nahda in the opening round and defeating Al-Rayyan 2–1 in the second.
Al-Faisaly knows that securing all three points would provide a major boost in the race to qualify and take its tally to six points, putting it in a stronger position ahead of the return fixture against the Saudi side on November 4. That match could play an important role in shaping the competition within the group.
Al-Faisaly comes into the match after drawing 2–2 with Al-Jazeera in the sixth round of the Jordanian Pro League. The result fell short of the team’s ambitions, as it had hoped to continue its winning run and maintain its points advantage at the top of the standings.
The latest draw leaves Egyptian head coach Tarek Mostafa with the task of quickly restoring the team’s balance, particularly amid a demanding schedule of domestic and continental matches and the need to maintain the players’ physical and mental readiness.
Despite the recent setback, Al-Faisaly has shown positive signs in terms of results this season, suffering just one defeat across all competitions, against Al-Rayyan, while securing important wins in the Jordanian Super Cup, the Pro League and the continental competition.
The coaching staff is counting on several players capable of making a difference, led by Ahmad Al-Ersan, one of the team’s key attacking players thanks to his ability to create chances, shoot and move between the lines, as well as his notable goal contributions in recent weeks.
Claudio Maradona and Anas Al-Awadat are also expected to play important roles in activating the attack, while Nour Al-Din Al-Rawabdeh gives the team additional options in midfield through his ability to build attacks and link the lines.
Al-Faisaly showed attacking effectiveness in the first two rounds of the competition, scoring five goals. However, maintaining a balance between defence and attack remains one of the coaching staff’s main challenges, particularly after conceding four goals against Al-Rayyan in the opening match.
The team will need to limit defensive errors, deal carefully with the opposition’s quick transitions, make the most of its chances in front of goal and prevent Al-Taawoun from imposing its rhythm during the match.
Al-Faisaly are expected to start with Abdullah Al-Fakhouri, Anas Badawi, Ihsan Haddad, Hossam Abu Al-Dhahab, Ahmad Abed Rabbo, Mohammad Haddad, Nour Al-Din Al-Rawabdeh, Jean Ahoua, Anas Al-Awadat, Ahmad Al-Ersan and Claudio Maradona.
Al-Taawoun, meanwhile, enters the match aiming to maintain its lead in the group, building on its positive start to the competition despite going through a relatively difficult period domestically.
The Saudi team has suffered defeats against Al-Shabab and Al-Qadsiah, in addition to drawing with Al-Diriyah. These results could add to the pressure ahead of its meeting with Al-Faisaly, although its continental performances, particularly its victory over Al-Rayyan, demonstrate its ability to handle difficult matches.
Key players in Al-Taawoun’s squad, coached by Serbian manager Vuk Rašović, include goalkeeper Mailson, Marin Petkov, Mohammad Al-Kuwaikibi, Rakan Al-Tulaihi, Younes Al-Bahrawi, Ashraf Al-Mahdioui and Fares Al-Ghamdi.
Al-Faisaly head coach Tarek Mostafa said during a press conference held yesterday that his team was ready to face Al-Taawoun, stressing the importance of fan support in motivating the players to secure a victory.
Mostafa explained that the team’s focus was on collecting all three points and making its supporters happy, noting that preparations had gone well despite the demanding run of matches in recent weeks.
The Egyptian coach denied reports that he planned to make extensive changes to the starting lineup, explaining that rotation had mainly been limited to the back line because of injuries sustained by several players.
He noted that every coach prefers to maintain defensive stability, but unforeseen circumstances had forced him to make some changes in recent matches.
Mostafa criticised the crowded fixture schedule, saying: “It is not normal for a team to play eight matches in 27 days. Major teams should be given a break from domestic competition when playing in continental tournaments. This has left the players exhausted, which, in my view, will affect the Nashama national team in the coming period.”
Mostafa praised Al-Taawoun’s capabilities, describing it as a team with distinguished players, as demonstrated by its victory over Al-Rayyan in the previous round and its rise to the top of the group.
He stressed that competition in Group C was difficult for all teams and that qualification remained open, making a positive result in today’s match all the more important.
Al-Faisaly player Ahmad Al-Ersan also said that preparations for the match were going well, noting that morale within the team was high and that all players were looking forward to delivering the required performance and securing all three points.
Al-Ersan praised Al-Faisaly’s supporters for their continued backing of the team and expressed hope that the players would make them happy by securing another victory on the continental stage.
Al-Ersan added that he was not overly preoccupied with competing for the top spot in either the Pro League or the continental tournament, saying his main focus was on making the required contribution to his team in every match.
He noted that scoring goals gives him a morale boost and strengthens his teammates’ confidence in his abilities, stressing that the most important thing is to use his current form to serve Al-Faisaly and help the team achieve its desired results.
