Ammon News - AMMAN - Wihdat play Bahrain's Rifaa while Shabab Urdun host Syria's Karamah today in Round 2 of the 2010 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

Playing in Group A, former AFC Champions Shabab Urdun got off to a good start when they beat Yemen's Ahli Sanaa 1-0. They are now second after Syria's Karamah beat Oman's Saham 2-0.

On the other hand, Wihdat lost their home game to Qatar's Rayyan 4-2 and are now last in Group E after Bahrain's Rifaa beat Oman's Nahda 1-0.

Jordanian teams were eliminated in the first round in the last two years after dominating the second-tier Asian club competition from 2005 to 2007.

Wihdat will play in Manama's national stadium at 5:45pm Amman time. Coach Tha'er Jassam was quoted by Al Rai daily as saying that “the team has steadily improved over the past period and is ready for the next stage”.

Jordanian league leaders Wihdat had a remarkable year in 2009 when they won all four season titles in a historic first. But they have never won an Asian title.

Shabab Urdun will be playing at King Abdullah Stadium in Quweismeh at 5:00pm and have players like Mohannad Maharmeh back after injury. “We know it's a crucial match and aim to reach the second round,” team manager Osama Talal was quoted as saying to Al Rai.

Faisali as well as 2008 champs Bahrain's Muharraq are not playing this year. AFC Cup holders Kuwait SC are in Group B and first edition champs Syria's Jeish are in Group C. The top two from each group will move to the second round.

Syria's Jeish won the inaugural 2004 AFC Cup when Jordanian teams did not compete. Since 2005, Jordanian teams have been impressive as Faisali beat Lebanon's Nijmeh and Bahrain's Muharraq to win back-to-back titles. In 2007, Shabab Urdun continued Jordanian teams' dominance and overcame Faisali to win their first Asian title.

Hussein joined Faisali in the 2005 edition, and Faisali and Wihdat played in 2006. In 2007, Faisali were joined by Wihdat and Shabab Urdun. Wihdat and Shabab Urdun took part in 2008, while Faisali were joined by Wihdat in 2009.

(Jordan Times/ By Aline Bannayan)