Jordan's Keeper Dedicates Arab Cup Win to Injured Teammate; Semifinal Dream Alive
12 December 2025
Jordan Clinches Arab Cup Quarterfinal Win With Dedication from the Keeper
Yazeed Abu Leila, Jordan's goalkeeper, dedicated the 1-0 victory over Iraq in the 2025 Arab Cup quarterfinal to his teammate Yazen Al-Naamats, who sustained a serious knee injury.
Naimat left the game after 14 minutes with a knee injury, casting a shadow over the quarterfinal.
Medical staff sent him for hospital tests to gauge the injury and his likely absence.
Team Spirit, Coach's Plan and Concern for a Star Player
After the final whistle, Abu Leila said beating Iraq carried a personal, not a vendetta, meaning, but because they had promised Yazen a win and a place in the semis.
He thanked Jordan's fans at Education City Stadium for their support, noting the man of the match award was a reflection of the team's collective effort.
Mohammad Abu Hashish extended congratulations to Iraq for their performance, saying the Nashama were fortunate and capped their efforts with a victory.
He added that the Iraq match would be closed and that they would push to improve in the remaining tournament games after reaching the semifinals.
Saad Al-Rosan said that matches with Iraq always carry weight, but they followed their coach Gamal Al-Salami's instructions and made the home crowd happy.
He admitted the mood was tempered by Yazen's injury and wished him a speedy recovery.
Ali Alwan, Nashama striker, congratulated the Jordanian fans and pledged that everyone will push to reach the final.
Beyond the match, the semi-final berth adds hope for Jordan, but the real drama remains the health status of Yazen.
Punchline: If patience were a sport, Jordan just won the marathon without breaking a sweat. Punchline 2: Tonight's drama had a knee-jerk reaction—here's hoping Yazen gets back on his feet soon.
