Al-Faisaly shifts focus from league leadership to Asian clash with Al-Nahda

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Al-Faisaly players celebrate during the current season. (Photo: Mohammad Al-Jundi)
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Amman — Al-Faisaly have temporarily put their Jordan Pro League campaign aside on a positive note, finishing the fourth round alone at the top of the standings with 10 points. The team secured a dramatic victory over Al-Salt with a last-gasp goal in stoppage time, reinforcing its strong start to the season and giving the players a significant morale boost ahead of their upcoming Asian fixture.اضافة اعلان

Al-Faisaly have begun preparations to host Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nahda at 9:15 p.m. the day after tomorrow at Amman International Stadium, in the second round of Group C of the AFC Champions League Two. The Blues will be seeking their first win in the competition and a fresh start that strengthens their chances of qualifying from the group.

The Al-Nahda delegation and the match officials are expected to arrive today, while technical meetings and a press conference featuring both teams’ coaches are scheduled for tomorrow. The meetings will cover organizational and technical arrangements and allow both sides to outline their preparations for the highly anticipated encounter.

Al-Faisaly enter the Asian fixture in high spirits after their late win over Al-Salt demonstrated the team’s determination and ability to fight until the final moments. The coaching staff hopes that this resilience will carry over into the upcoming match, which has added importance following the team’s thrilling 4–3 defeat to Qatar’s Al-Rayyan in the opening round.

Al-Faisaly will rely on home advantage and crowd support against Al-Nahda, hoping Amman International Stadium will mark the beginning of a new chapter in their Asian campaign. A strong turnout is expected to give the players the motivation they need to overcome the Saudi opponents and secure all three points.

The “Boss” know that their supporters have long been a key pillar of the club’s journey, providing encouragement and backing during difficult moments. The anticipated crowd could therefore play an important role in raising the team’s tempo and increasing pressure on the opposition, particularly in a match where Al-Faisaly will need to make the most of every advantage available.

Al-Faisaly view the encounter as more than just another group-stage match. It is an opportunity to regain their footing in continental competition and reaffirm their ability to compete. The team will seek to capitalize on its familiarity with playing at home and make amends to its supporters after the opening-round defeat.
The coaching staff hopes that efforts on and off the pitch will come together, with the players turning the support from the stands into a strong performance and a positive result that restores confidence and paves the way for a more stable campaign.

Head coach Tarek Mostafa has begun preparations with a full squad, amid a focused atmosphere and a desire to build on the team’s positive domestic form. Attention is now turning to the technical details that could make the difference against opponents who are equally determined to secure a positive result away from home.

The coaching staff has closely followed Al-Nahda’s matches and analyzed key aspects of their performances to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop a suitable game plan. Tactical preparation is a priority, as continental competitions leave little room for error and demand the highest levels of concentration and discipline throughout the match.

Al-Nahda began their campaign with a draw against fellow Saudi side Al-Taawoun, earning one point in the opening round. This makes the upcoming encounter important for both teams as they seek to improve their points tally and strengthen their qualification prospects. Al-Faisaly will therefore need to approach the match seriously, without being distracted by their domestic position or relying on previous results.

Although Al-Faisaly have a strong bench and several options that give the coaching staff flexibility, Mostafa tends to favor a relatively settled lineup, making changes when required by tactical considerations or the players’ condition. His aim is to strengthen cohesion between the lines and maintain a balance between defensive duties and attacking effectiveness.

Ahmed Al-Ersan has emerged as one of Al-Faisaly’s key playmakers in recent weeks. His impressive performances have established him among the league’s standout players so far, thanks to his technical ability, influential movement and capacity to make a difference in the attacking third. The coaching staff will count on him to create chances and threaten the opposition goal, alongside the contributions of his teammates in converting opportunities into goals.

The importance of the match extends beyond securing three points. It is also an opportunity to restore balance to Al-Faisaly’s continental campaign and strengthen the players’ belief in their ability to compete. The defeat to Al-Rayyan came in a match that produced seven goals, with Al-Faisaly scoring four and their opponents three. While this highlighted the team’s attacking threat, it also underscored the need to address defensive details that could prove decisive in upcoming matches.

The coaching staff hopes to see a more balanced performance against Al-Nahda by limiting space for the opposition, improving concentration during defensive transitions, and making better use of forward movement and varied attacking options. Discipline in midfield will also be important in allowing Al-Faisaly to dictate the tempo and restrict the Saudi side’s ability to build attacks and reach dangerous areas.

Resource: Yahya Qutaishat