Al-Faisaly’s Lukasz Gikiewicz revels in Middle Eastern football culture

LONDON: Polish striker Lukasz Gikiewicz has seen his fair share of the world, having played with club sides in his native Poland as well as Cyprus, Kazakhstan and Bulgaria, before moving to Asia and playing in Saudi Arabia, Thailand and finally Jordan, where he is now a star for reigning champions Al-Faisaly.
While some players might have reservations about playing in Asia and, more specifically, the Middle East, Gikiewicz is not one of those, and has embraced the challenge and different culture.
“I don’t have a problem,” he told Arab News when asked if he had to think twice about playing in the Middle East.
“I talk it over with my wife and my family (whether) it is a good option. I don’t have a problem to go to Thailand, to Saudi or now to Jordan. I am an open person, always smiling, always learning the language. For me it’s no problem. This is my job.”
It is a job he is doing extremely well for Al-Faisaly after joining the club almost 12 months ago. In that time he has helped the Amman-based club to their first league title since 2012, a significant drought for a club as accustomed to success as The Blue Eagles, who boast a Jordanian record 33 league titles.
“I am here ten months and when I came in February I thought I would only stay four months (until the end of the season),” he admitted.
“But really I enjoyed it so much because they changed coaches, and Nebojsa (Jovovic) gets very good performances from us. In three months we won three trophies — Super Cup, Cup and League and I played really good.”
It is the league title that meant the most, as it gave Al-Faisaly a ticket into AFC Champions League qualifying and it is a day Gikiewicz remembers fondly.
“All the city, all of Amman at night was blue,” he said.
“All the fans went out on the straight with their cars and they celebrated. Faisaly waited five years to be champions. We had seven points less when I came here in February and I did my bit with the goals and assists to become champions, and the fans will remember this season.
“I am so happy because no matter where you play it’s difficult to take the Championship. I have now two championships, I have one in Poland and one in Jordan and I hope to win another again.”
While the side is still five points off top spot after the resumption of the league from the eight-week winter break, Gikiewicz’s immediate focus is on this week’s AFC Champions League qualifier against Uzbekistan side Nasaf in Tashkent.
No Jordanian side has ever played in the AFC Champions League since it was introduced in 2003 and Gikiewicz is determined to create more history for Al-Faisaly.
“Before the game we cannot say who is the better team, because in football everything is possible,” he said.
“But my dream is to play in Champions League and I will do my best. I will give my blood for Faisaly. I really want to beat Nasaf and after enjoy the Champions League.
“For me it’s important because I’ve never played in Champions League. My contract finishes in four months, so it’s a chance for me to show my performance and my quality because in summer I will be free.”
But while history may be against Gikiewicz and his side, the Polish striker is confident ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash.
“Champions League is Champions League, like in Europe. All players dream about these competitions. If you play in Qatar or Dubai, for (these) teams maybe it’s normal to go to the Champions League, but for Jordan it’s always difficult.
“They start from the first or second round and have two or three steps. (But) now we only have one step and 90 minutes and everything is possible. If you ask me now I am sure we will go to this Champions League.”
As much as he wants to achieve success and history for the club, it is the passionate fans of Al-Faisaly that Gikiewicz aims to please.
“I think football without fans is nothing,” he said.
“For this reason I am happy because here the games, if we play away or home, the stadium is full because of our fans.
“They love me too. They make some songs, I only understand “Lukasz” because I don’t understand Arabic, but it’s nice because you know that you do your job and fans see that you’re professional and you give your blood and your heart for this team.”
Few experiences in Asia are as passionate and heated as the Amman derby between Al-Faisaly and Al-Wehdat, a match a natural born winner and competitor like Gikiewicz was born to play in.
“The derbies are always different games,” he said.
“In a derby you can never say for sure a team will win or lose. I like playing against Wehdat because Wehdat fans want to kill me, they don’t like me too much. I like playing away, when I hear my name, they try to provoke me, but I am a professional player and I am ready for this situation.
“The atmosphere is amazing. If it’s possible I’d play every week against Wehdat. If you can, call the federation and tell them Lukasz wants to play every week against Wehdat.
“Like in Poland on Sunday, you go with your family and have a special lunch, or in Jordan on Friday you have Mansaf, you enjoy this lunch. It’s the same for me (playing against Al Wehdat), I enjoy it.
“When I wake up I know after 10-15 hours I will play against Wehdat and on my face you will see a smile because I enjoy this game.”