Jordan's First Division clubs kick off the race for the new football season, amid expectations of a hot, exciting campaign, with 12 teams looking to secure their place among the top sides and avoid the threat of relegation, all while knowing this season's format leaves little room for making up lost ground or wasted points.
اضافة اعلان
The league season kicks off today, with all eyes on the tournament's stadiums as the opening round gets underway, marking the start of a long journey expected to bring plenty of drama and close competition, especially given the notable presence of several teams with prior Pro League experience, alongside others who have strengthened their squads with experienced players. This opens the door to fierce competition for the two promotion spots, alongside an equally intense battle to avoid relegation. The competition runs until November 28, played in a single round-robin format.
The federation has released the full match schedule for the season, except for the final two rounds, the 10th and 11th, a practice it has followed for years to ensure fairness and equal treatment for teams fighting for promotion or battling relegation, giving all clubs an equal shot heading into the decisive final rounds.
Two matches will be played this evening: neighbors Ittihad Al-Ramtha and Al-Sareeh face off at 7:00 PM at Prince Hashem Stadium, in a highly competitive local derby, while Amman FC take on Hay Al-Amir Hassan at the same time at Prince Mohammad Stadium.
The round continues tomorrow with four more matches: Al-Sarhan face Jerash at 6:00 PM at Al-Sarhan Stadium, Sahl Hauran take on Ma'an at 7:00 PM at Prince Hashem Stadium, Al-Hashimiya meet Al-Ahli at 8:30 PM at Prince Mohammad Stadium, and Aqaba Stadium hosts the clash between Shabab Al-Aqaba and Yarmouk at 8:00 PM.
The opening round matches mark an important moment for all teams, especially since a strong start gives clubs a significant morale boost, at a time when an early loss could prove costly in a single-round-robin competition that demands a different approach to every match and every point.
This season is considered the toughest edition the competition has seen, with most participating clubs' management spending significant sums to sign standout players with experience and technical ability, giving the league a special flavor and raising the stakes in the battle for the two promotion spots.
The league is played in a single round-robin format, with each team playing just 11 matches, making every point extremely valuable throughout the competition and putting teams to a real test of their ability to deliver consistent results, away from the calculations that home-and-away formats typically allow.
The teams finishing first and second in the final standings will earn direct promotion to the Pro League, while the bottom four teams will be relegated to the Second Division, raising the level of competition at both ends of the table and keeping the battle for the top and bottom spots alive from the first round through the final whistle.
The federation has designated 7 stadiums to host the league's matches: Prince Mohammad Stadium, Prince Hashem Stadium, Aqaba Development Stadium, Jerash Stadium, Russeifa Stadium, Al-Sarhan Stadium, alongside Princess Haya Stadium in Ma'an, after completing its readiness in terms of both security and technical requirements to host Ma'an's home matches.
Teams are counting on their new technical staffs to translate these signings into results, building squads capable of competing and achieving the goals set by club management, especially since having recognizable names and experience doesn't necessarily guarantee results, given the need for cohesion, stability, and the ability to handle competitive pressure.
The race for the two promotion spots looks wide open among several teams, given the expected closeness in levels, which could mean the first and second places aren't decided until the final rounds, while the battle for survival is expected to be even fiercer, with four teams facing relegation to the Second Division each season, adding to the drama and competitiveness.
This season comes as part of a restructuring plan for the First Division, which includes the continued relegation of four teams to the Second Division, eventually reducing the number of participating clubs to 10 starting next season, after which the competition will be played in a full home-and-away league format.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Yahya Qatishat
