Amman — Attention turns to the clash between Shabab Al-Ordon and Al-Arabi on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Petra Stadium, as the fifth round of the Jordanian Pro League kicks off.
اضافة اعلان
The match is highly important for both teams, which are seeking to improve their positions in the standings and move away from the relegation zone amid a difficult start to the current season.
The game comes at a time when both sides are looking to regain their balance and collect points after their previous results left them in a position where further setbacks are difficult to afford. With the competition still in its early stages, a win would carry added importance both in terms of points and morale, giving either team a much-needed opportunity to get back on track before the gap with the leading sides widens.
Shabab Al-Ordon know that a victory would provide an important opportunity to move up the table and distance themselves from the bottom two places. Al-Arabi, meanwhile, hope to use the encounter to improve their points tally and move away from last place, which they have occupied since the second round.
The match was moved from Al-Salt Stadium to Petra Stadium because maintenance work at Al-Salt Stadium has not been completed, as part of changes made to the schedules and venues of several league fixtures.
The clash takes on added significance as both teams seek their first win of the current Pro League season after failing to secure a victory in their opening four rounds. As a result, they find themselves near the bottom of the standings, with an increasing need to collect points and avoid becoming embroiled in the relegation battle at such an early stage.
Shabab Al-Ordon sit ninth with three points after drawing their first three matches against Al-Ramtha, Al-Jazeera and Al-Hussein Irbid. They then suffered their first defeat, losing 3–0 to Al-Baqa'a in the fourth round. The team is now under pressure to regain its balance quickly, particularly as it has yet to win despite scoring five goals and conceding eight.
Key players in Shabab Al-Ordon, coached by Spanish manager Carlos Alberto, include Walid Issam, Qusai Tannous, Jordan Duran, Saul Castro, Salem Al-Ajalin, Mohammad Abu Ghosh, Amer Al-Majdoub, Ayham Hisham, Hamza Al-Shamali, Khaldoun Sabra and Michael Caicedo.
Al-Arabi, by contrast, are in a more difficult position, sitting bottom of the table with one point from a single draw and three defeats. Their latest loss came against Al-Hussein Irbid, who beat them 4–1. They had also lost to Al-Ramtha and Al-Salt, leaving them in urgent need of a turnaround and a way out of last place. Their defensive struggles are evident, having conceded eight goals while scoring only two.
Al-Arabi’s management has given coach Imad Rashad one final opportunity to improve the team’s situation before potentially making a change to the coaching staff. Key players include Rashid Rafeed, Nestor Ndami, Zaid Abu Al-Reesh, Diatta Babacar, Seko Sagna, Ahmad Al-Shdaifat, Mohammad Al-Razzam, Yousef Al-Rawashdeh, Omar Mubarak, Moataz Obeidat and Bakr Kalbouneh.
The match will be officiated by referee Muath Abdul Salam, with Hamza Abu Obeid as the first assistant referee and Ahmad Al-Hattu as the second. Qais Ghanawmeh will serve as the fourth official, while Adham Makhadmeh will oversee video assistant refereeing, assisted by Omar Herzallah.
The fifth-round fixtures continue on Friday, with Duqrah facing Al-Jazeera at Petra Stadium at 5 p.m., followed by Al-Baqa'a against Al-Salt at King Abdullah II Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Al-Faisaly will take on Al-Ramtha at Amman International Stadium at 5 p.m. The round concludes at 7:30 p.m. with the match between Al-Wehdat and Al-Hussein Irbid.
Source: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Muhannad Juwailis
