Jordan reached the Arab Cup final with defensive tactics and the cleverness of Al-Salami

Jordan reached the final of the Arab Football Cup, for the first time in its history, after defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0, yesterday, at Al-Bayt Stadium in the Qatari city of Al-Khor, after a defensive tactical performance by Moroccan coach Jamal Al-Salami.

In the final, the day after tomorrow, Jordan faces Morocco, which defeated the UAE team 3-0.

Before the start of the match, which was attended by 63,000 spectators, in a stadium that hosted the opening of the 2022 World Cup, north of the Qatari capital, Jordanian players carried the No. 11 shirt of striker Yazan Al-Naimat, who suffered a severe knee injury in the quarter-finals against Iraq, which will likely keep him from Al-Nashama’s first participation in the World Cup next summer in North America.

The confrontation made Jordan’s coach, Moroccan Jamal Al-Salami, smile, who worked as coach of his country’s national team, when Saudi Arabia’s coach, Frenchman Herve Renard, was coach of the “Atlas Lions.” Contrary to expectations, the first half was boring and did not witness any shots on goal for the two teams that will participate in the World Cup.

The two teams entered the second half with less cautious intentions, and the “Jordanian” team was more determined, until midfielder Nizar Al-Rashdan headed in captain Mahmoud Mardi’s cross from close range, opening the scoring (66).

The two “friendly” coaches put their cards in succession after the goal, and the “Green Falcons” threw all their weight to equalize, but the final whistle gave Jordan a ticket to the final, the day after tomorrow, at Lusail Stadium, and Al-Salami the opportunity to face his country for the title.

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