Khaberni - The match between Al-Hussein Irbid team and its guest, the Turkmenistani team Ahal, in the last round of the first stage of the Asian Champions League 2, scheduled at a quarter to five on the day after tomorrow, Tuesday at Amman International Stadium, carries more than just a title for the representative of Jordanian football. Among the most notable is regaining the lead, which it lost in the last round to Sepahan Isfahan from Iran after a clean two-goal defeat.
Winning would ensure the lead for "the yellow team", raising its score to nine points, thereby facing the second team in Group C, which is confined between the teams Zawraa from Iraq and Esteghlal from Iran. However, if Al-Hussein Irbid falters by losing or drawing in Tuesday's match, it would face a strong confrontation against Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr team, which includes Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Al-Ghad newspaper.
Despite the strength of Al Nassr team, some fans prefer that Al-Hussein Irbid faces Ronaldo's team, for the fan and financial benefits if Ronaldo comes to play in Amman.
The match also poses a challenge to the new interim technical staff, led by Bashar Bani Yasin, who took over days ago, replacing the dismissed Portuguese technical director Kim Machado, and it's an opportunity for Bani Yasin to prove the capability of the local coach, especially since he will be a general coach in the upcoming foreign technical staff.
The return of 6 players to the team's training after their contribution to the historical achievement in the Arab Cup, which concluded in Doha, Qatar, days ago, adds strength and a strong incentive to the Al-Hussein Irbid system to achieve victory and snatch the lead. Yazeed Abu Layla, Saad Rosan, Ali Hejazi, Awda Fakhouri, Salim Abid, and Raja'e Ayed showed remarkable levels during the tournament's competitions, while the team will miss "the outstanding" Adham Al-Quarishi due to his recent cruciate ligament injury.
Moreover, the team is looking to start scoring goals again, having recorded a negative milestone for the first time in the Asian Champions League 2, represented by not scoring any goal in one of its matches in the continental championship since its last season's involvement.
According to the championship rules, the top two teams from each group (4 from the West and 4 from the East) will qualify to the round of sixteen, which will be held in February next year, followed by the quarter-final rounds in March, and the semi-finals during April, before concluding the championship with a final on May 17.
The Asian Football Confederation, before the draw, unveiled the new trophy for the championship, which stands 65 cm tall, harmoniously blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, reflecting the distinction and prestige of the new second-tier men's continental championship.
In addition to the chance to lift a new cup, all participating clubs will receive significant increases in financial allocations, with teams in the group stage receiving at least $300,000, while the winner will receive no less than $3.28 million.
