Beitar Jerusalem Faces Setback as Jordan Shua Remains Ill Ahead of AEK Larnaca Return Match

Beitar Jerusalem is likely to face AEK Larnaca without one of its key players, Jordan Shua, in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie. The first leg, played away, ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Beitar. However, Shua, who started and played 57 minutes in that match, has been struggling with a persistent virus that has prevented him from regaining full fitness.

Despite undergoing multiple medical tests recently, Shua's symptoms continue to affect his readiness, and he is expected to start on the bench under coach Almog Cohen. There is a possibility he may not participate in the match at all. The return leg is scheduled for Thursday in Romania, where approximately 3,000 Beitar fans are expected to attend, most arriving on the day of the match.

Local police have prepared special forces and reinforcements from nearby cities to maintain order and prevent disturbances. A small group of AEK Larnaca supporters from Cyprus will be seated in a separate section and will be escorted out first by local police after the game. This security arrangement aims to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.