jordan pulse -

In a revealing interview with Rum, former Jordan national team and Wehdat midfielder Fadi Awad spoke candidly about his career journey, from his early days at Jalil Club to his current experience playing professionally in Malaysia — and the difficult chapter he endured at Wehdat.

Early Struggles and Rise to the Top
Awad described his football beginnings as tough. He played for five years with Jalil Club, represented the national team under coach Jamal Abu Abed, and had a brief loan spell at Manshieh. He later joined Wehdat following an offer from then-club president Tareq Khoury. Despite joining one of Jordan’s top clubs, he said his time at Wehdat was not easy, especially with the daily commute from Irbid to Amman due to the lack of housing provided.

Unfair Treatment by a Coach
Awad said he was sidelined by certain coaches at Wehdat and was denied fair opportunities, even after recovering from injury. He recounted an incident where the assistant coach allegedly asked the club’s physiotherapist to falsely declare that Awad was unfit to play — a request the therapist, Mamoun Harb, refused.

Despite being cleared for training, Awad said the coach still excluded him. Only after a change in management — when Qais Al-Yaaqoubi took over — did he return to the starting lineup, scoring in a match against Ahli, led by the same coach who had previously benched him.

Professional Experience in Malaysia
Awad praised the Malaysian league for its professionalism, fairness in player selection, and player support — including housing, transportation, gyms, and swimming facilities. Unlike the Jordanian league, which he said suffers from favouritism, Malaysia’s league, he stressed, rewards merit.

Financial Sacrifice for Career Growth
Awad revealed he gave up nearly JD 8,000 in unpaid dues to pursue a professional contract in Malaysia. Initially, Wehdat officials rejected the move, citing the team’s need for him. However, upon review, the Jordan Football Association confirmed that Awad was no longer registered with Wehdat — making him a free agent.

National Team and World Cup Qualification
Though he played for the national team, Awad expressed dissatisfaction with his performance in the Asian Cup, as he was fielded out of position as a winger instead of his preferred defensive midfield role. Still, he acknowledged that Jordan’s World Cup qualification brings massive benefits to local players, including raising their market value.

Current Situation and Personal Preferences
Awad remains under contract with his Malaysian club and hasn’t received new offers. He named Abdullah Abu Zama as the best coach he played under, and midfielder Saleh Rateb as his favourite teammate. He also praised Malaysian player Kyaw and said he had hoped to play for Ramtha earlier in his career. He called Tareq Khoury the best club president he worked with and credited coach Mohammad Khaled for supporting him from the start.

He ended the interview by thanking Wehdat fans for their continued support, saying he hopes to retire with the Green Giants.