Amman - Al-Wehdat find themselves facing a contradictory technical equation as matchday eight of the Professional League closes. While they continue to chase the top places and boast a standout defensive record, their attacking numbers are a cause for concern, given their clear struggle to find the net, with just four goals in their first eight matches.
اضافة اعلان
Wehdat have scored at a rate of half a goal per match, an unprecedented goalscoring return in the club's history in the Professional League since the start of the professional era in the 2008-09 season, or since they first entered the competition, according to the available historical figures. This presents the team with a clear challenge: they must improve their ability to score, especially as the title race requires defensive stability alongside attacking solutions capable of settling matches.
Despite this goalscoring weakness, Wehdat have stayed close to the top, lifting their total to 14 points, level with Al-Faisaly in second place and one point behind leaders Ramtha on 15. The team has shown that their low tally of goals has not so far stopped them from achieving results that keep them in the thick of the contest, although it raises questions about whether they can maintain that pace in the coming stages.
Wehdat won four matches by the same 1-0 scoreline, against Al-Buqa'a, Shabab Al-Ordon, Al-Jazeera and Al-Hussein Irbid. They drew 0-0 with Al-Faisaly and Al-Salt, and lost 1-0 to Ramtha and Al-Arabi.
Head coach Imad Al-Nahhas deserves credit for a clear improvement at the back. Wehdat have conceded only two goals in eight matches, a record that reflects discipline and organisation, and the team's ability to limit the threat of opponents. Keeping clean sheets in six matches gives the coaching staff a foundation to build on for the rest of the campaign.
However, attacking play still needs a great deal of work. A team with ambitions to compete for the title cannot rely for long on narrow wins, or wait for a single goal to settle matches, especially when facing opponents who are better at taking their chances. This makes improving finishing in front of goal a priority for Al-Nahhas and his coaching staff.
The injury to Senegalese striker Junior Sambou, and his absence from some matches, is one explanation some offer for the drop in scoring. His importance in the centre-forward role, and his ability to give the team extra options in the final third, is significant. Yet his absence cannot be the only explanation for the problem, and Wehdat need to diversify their sources of goals.
The coming phase is an important test of Al-Nahhas's ability to strike the right balance. Defensive solidity is a strength Wehdat do not want to lose, but developing the attacking side has become a no less pressing necessity, especially with the points so close at the top of the table.
On this point, social media activist Nasr Al-Barqawi said fans are on edge until the final moments of every match, because the team leads by a single goal and fails to extend the lead with a second, stressing that the side must strengthen its attacking presence between matches.
Al-Barqawi told Al Ghad that the team was treated unfairly against Al-Arabi, and deserved to win three points had a goal been allowed early in the match. He said Wehdat's reputation remains intact in matches where they secure victory and deliver what is required, despite the absence of standout stars as in previous years.
By contrast, supporter Ihab Rashid said Wehdat often reach the opponents' goal but lack the decisive touch, because there are no strikers of the required calibre, and the players brought in up front have not carried enough responsibility. Rashid added that the problem at the back in recent seasons is disappearing, as the defence has improved noticeably, and the evidence is that it is the strongest line after eight rounds, having conceded only two goals. He said this must now carry over to the attack, so that his team can compete strongly for the league title.
Source: Al-Ghad. Reporting by By Mohanad Juwailes
