SEOUL, South Korea — Suffice to say, 2024 has already been a busy and memorable yr for Jordan defender Yazan Al-Arab.
Again at the beginning of the yr, Al-Arab and his worldwide colleagues induced an actual stir once they marched all the best way to the ultimate of the AFC Asian Cup earlier than in the end dropping 3-1 to hosts and defending champions Qatar.
Having by no means gone additional than the quarterfinals beforehand, Jordan’s spirited shows — which included an enormous semifinal upset over perennial contenders South Korea — noticed them announce their arrival as one of many continent’s main lights.
Then, in July, Al-Arab earned arguably the largest transfer of his profession when he signed for FC Seoul, one of many Okay League 1’s conventional powerhouses however a sleeping large given the final of their 4 titles got here again in 2016.
FC Seoul is not going to finish their title drought this yr, with Ulsan HD having already secured a 3rd consecutive crown at the beginning of the month.
Nonetheless, they’re in line to return to continental motion for the primary time since 2020.
Given the military-affiliated Gimcheon Sangmu ineligible to signify South Korea in Asian competitors, it’s third-placed Gangwon FC who’re at present within the operating to affix Ulsan in subsequent season’s AFC Champions League Elite through the qualifying playoffs.
With one spherical remaining within the Okay League 1 season, to be held after the present worldwide window, Seoul want to carry on to fourth spot to seal a spot within the second-tier AFC Champions League Two.
Nevertheless, within the occasion that Ulsan beat Pohang Steelers within the Korea Cup remaining, Gangwon will then take the second automated ACL Elite berth — which can then present Seoul an opportunity to qualify for Asia’s premier membership competitors — a prospect that was precisely what Al-Arab moved to South Korea for.
“Each stage for me is sort of a problem,” Al-Arab advised ESPN. “Earlier than I got here right here, I promised myself that I’d give all the pieces for this membership.
“I wish to obtain success with this membership. We have achieved actually good outcomes (within the second half of the season). Now we’ve to deal with getting that Champions League ticket.
“The Okay League is without doubt one of the finest leagues in Asia. That is why I took the choice to return to Korea, as a result of Okay League has superb gamers, (ranges of) efficiency, followers, and even the stadiums.
“Every little thing is of a excessive stage.”
There may be additionally lots for Al-Arab to stay up for on the worldwide stage.
The development Jordan displayed on the Asian Cup now has them dreaming of a maiden FIFA World Cup look in 2026, particularly with the match’s enlargement to a 48-team competitors which means that Asia are assured a minimum of eight representatives — double the earlier allocation of 4.
Their marketing campaign has confirmed a problem so far particularly given a variety of harm issues, together with the absence of talismanic ahead Musa Al-Taamari.
Nonetheless, Jordan stay joint-second in Group B of the Asian qualifiers after 4 matches and simply three factors behind leaders South Korea, with the highest two robotically qualifying for the World Cup.
“On the Asian Cup, we gave 100% and reached the ultimate,” recalled Al-Arab.
“Now, within the present World Cup qualification, we have had some accidents however we simply should deal with the upcoming video games and hope to get the ticket to the World Cup.”
For the 28-year-old, a profitable finish to 2024 may properly arrange his speedy future given his present take care of Seoul solely runs until the top of the season — though he’s at present on targeted on ending the yr on a excessive.
“We do not know what’s going to occur sooner or later,” he added. “For certain, I am honoured to be right here.
“FC Seoul are one of many largest golf equipment in Asia with historical past.
“For now, we simply should deal with the top of the season and we’ll see what occurs after that.”