Amman — Al-Hussein’s star Aref Al-Haj led his team to a valuable 3-0 victory over Oman’s Al-Seeb, scoring a hat-trick in the 42nd, 54th and 82nd minutes in a match played yesterday at Al-Seeb Sports Stadium in the second round of Group D of the AFC Champions League Two. In another Group D match, Iraq’s Al-Shorta defeated India’s East Bengal 3-2.
اضافة اعلان
The victory moved Al-Hussein into second place in the group with four points, behind leaders Al-Shorta, who have six points. The result marks an important step toward securing one of the two qualification spots from Group D.
Al-Hussein 3, Al-Seeb 0
The match featured a tactical battle between the two coaches and an exciting first half. Al-Hussein’s Spanish head coach, Torres, fielded goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Layla, captain Abdullah Naseeb, Yousef Abu Al-Jazar, Ali Hijbi, Ahmad Assaf, Mahmoud Shawkat, Yousef Qushi, Aref Al-Haj, Ali Al-Raihi, Pedro Henrique and Masoud Juma.
Al-Seeb’s Romanian coach, Florin Motroc, who has experience in Jordanian football after leading Shabab Al-Ordon to the 2012 Pro League title and coaching Al-Ramtha on two occasions, most recently in 2018, started with Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini in goal, alongside Mohammed Al-Musallami, Musab Al-Shaqsi, Omar Al-Malki, Hassan Al-Ajmi, Jawad Al-Ze, Abdulaziz Al-Muqbali, Augustine, Zahir Al-Aghbari, Ali Al-Busaidi and Axel Meye.
Al-Seeb threatened early when Ali Al-Busaidi unleashed a surprise shot that was turned behind for a corner. Musab Al-Shaqsi rose to meet the resulting delivery, but his effort went over Abu Layla’s goal. Al-Seeb continued to struggle to turn possession and build-up play into clear chances, while seeking different attacking routes to score the opener.
Al-Hussein remained compact and disciplined, with its lines close together defensively. The team looked to strike on the counter, and the movements of Aref Al-Haj, alongside Qushi, Al-Raihi and Masoud Juma, troubled Al-Seeb’s defence. Al-Haj broke down the left and delivered a dangerous ball toward goal, but the Omani defence cleared it before it could reach Masoud Juma. Juma then tried to capitalise on a defensive mistake as a defender passed the ball back to his goalkeeper, but Al-Mukhaini narrowed the angle and kept Al-Hussein from taking the lead.
Al-Seeb responded with quick attacks and penetrations from both wings and through the middle. Hassan Al-Ajmi played the ball to Zahir Al-Aghbari, who found himself one-on-one with Al-Hussein goalkeeper Yazeed Abu Layla but shot into the side netting. Al-Hussein returned to its fast-attacking approach, with Al-Haj setting up Qushi, who delivered a good cross into the Omani penalty area. Al-Raihi, however, sent his powerful shot over the bar.
Although Al-Seeb had looked more dangerous in its attacks, particularly when Al-Aghbari collected a long ball behind Al-Hussein’s defence, broke down the left and rounded Abu Layla, Ahmad Assaf cleared the ball to prevent a certain goal.
Al-Hussein responded through Al-Haj’s quality from a set piece. He struck a superb free kick into the right side of Al-Mukhaini’s goal to put his team ahead in the 42nd minute. The first half ended 1-0.
Al-Hussein maintained its composure at the start of the second half, while Al-Seeb appeared increasingly rushed in its efforts to equalise. Attempts by Axel Meye, Al-Busaidi and Al-Aghbari were met by a well-organised Al-Hussein defence, supported by the midfield holding players.
Al-Haj shone again after Al-Hussein launched a quick attack that reached Masoud Juma on the right. Juma advanced and delivered an elegant ball into Al-Haj’s path inside the Al-Seeb penalty area. Al-Haj’s powerful shot was parried by Al-Mukhaini, but he followed up with a delicate chip into the net in the 54th minute, scoring his second goal of the match and extending Al-Hussein’s lead to 2-0.
The growing deficit prompted Al-Seeb’s coach to make four substitutions in an effort to improve the team’s shape and strengthen its lines. Torres responded with two changes, including the first appearance of international defender Adham Al-Quraishi after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Al-Seeb pressed to reduce the deficit, with its most dangerous effort coming from Augustine, whose powerful shot went just over Abu Layla’s goal. The goalkeeper also produced a fine save to deny another attempt from Augustine.
Al-Hussein continued to close down space at the back, with a solid defensive display and Abu Layla’s presence helping the team withstand pressure. It then looked to launch quick attacks, including a well-organised move that reached Masoud, whose attempt was cleared by the Omani defence. Both coaches continued to make substitutions as they sought to address their teams’ needs in the closing stages.
Despite the changes, Al-Hussein maintained its tactical advantage from midfield, while Al-Haj continued to produce an impressive performance. He received the ball on the left side of Al-Seeb’s penalty area, accelerated past a defender with excellent skill and beat the goalkeeper with a superb finish in the 82nd minute to complete his hat-trick and make it 3-0.
Al-Haj came close to adding a fourth goal, but Al-Mukhaini intervened. Further attempts by Augustine, Axel and Al-Busaidi produced no change, and Al-Hussein held on for a valuable 3-0 victory.
Source: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Mustafa Balu
