Bahaa Faisal's Comeback to the National Team
In a significant move for Jordanian football, Bahaa Faisal, the forward from Qatari club Al-Wahda, has been called up to represent the national team during the upcoming gathering at the end of this month. This decision has been met with widespread acclaim from a substantial segment of the Jordanian public, who expressed their satisfaction on social media regarding the player's return to the "Nashama" squad after a long absence from international play. Al-Wahda club announced this development through its official channels, signaling the player's inclusion in the national team preparations for upcoming challenges, notably the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Faisal's last appearance for the national team was during the 2021 Arab Cup, where he sustained a serious knee ligament injury in a group-stage match against Morocco. This injury sidelined him for an extended period, limiting his availability for national team selections. However, the recent call-up has raised questions among fans about whether his inclusion is a direct response to the injury of fellow striker Yazan Al-Naimat, who is facing difficulties in his recovery from a similar knee injury, which may hinder his participation in upcoming matches.
Coaches Weigh In on Faisal's Return
National coach Othman Al-Hassanat commented that while Faisal's call-up is indeed overdue, the player should have been integrated into the squad earlier, particularly before the most recent Arab Cup held in Qatar at the end of last year, where the Jordanian team finished as runners-up. Al-Hassanat emphasized that an earlier inclusion would have allowed Faisal to better acclimate to the team's dynamics and the tactical strategies employed by the coaching staff.
Sports analyst Raef Al-Abadi supported this notion, asserting that the national team, under the guidance of coach Jamal Salami, is actively seeking offensive alternatives following Al-Naimat's injury. Al-Abadi noted that Faisal, recognized for his role as a center-forward or "target man" within the penalty area, possesses commendable skills that merit his presence in the squad despite potential mismatches with Salami's preferred 3-4-3 formation. Furthermore, Al-Abadi recalled that Salami had previously hinted at Faisal's potential return during a national team gathering in Tunisia last year, which has now come to fruition.
Adding to this discussion, coach Mohammed Al-Ababneh affirmed that Faisal's inclusion was largely due to the void left by Al-Naimat's absence. He stressed that a player of Faisal's caliber should have been part of the team for some time, even if only as a substitute, as his adaptability to the coaching strategies could provide the necessary offensive boost. Al-Ababneh also advocated for the need for the coaching staff to have multiple tactical options rather than relying on a singular approach. He highlighted that Faisal’s presence could offer additional attacking solutions, while also suggesting that another player, Youssef Abu Jalboush from Al-Hussein Irbid, deserves a chance in the national team based on his impressive skills in a supporting striker role.
The national team is gearing up for a new gathering in the latter part of this month, which will include matches against Costa Rica and Nigeria. This period marks a crucial time for the Jordanian squad as they prepare for significant international competitions ahead.
As reported by alghad.com.
