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Suffering bows to dignity as Palestine make Asian Cup debut
Palestine are set for their first outing at a major football finals when they compete in the Asian Cup this week. Journalist Samer Jaradat explains the significance of the national team's success against a backdrop of ongoing political struggle, and examines whether they can compete in Australia.
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“AN ACHIEVEMENT BORN FROM SUFFERING”
It has become a well-known phrase in the Middle East. A phrase we are used to hearing whenever a hero labors to victory; a phrase that has been repeated by pundits, commentators, and passionate fans; a phrase that is used by newspapers and spread like wildfire in the world of football.
Suffering is synonymous with a nation that has so often been robbed of their dreams. Suffering is associated with a national team that dreams of a day of getting together without the need of occupational permits. Suffering resonates with a sport that is suffocating under injustice and bullets, with a football league that is divided between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, divided by fire and blood. Palestine’s football league is one that could end after its first round of fixtures should the occupational forces be in a bad mood; it is a league that needs decisions from the UN in order to take place.
The burden of suffering evaporates, however, when the achievements of the Palestinian national team are discussed. Booking a place at the Asian Cup finals was a truly momentous accomplishment. It is difficult to describe the long years of struggle in a few words, but in the world of words there is nothing to add, it is truly an achievement born from suffering.
STARS AVAILABLE FOR THE KNIGHTS
There is no doubt that the participation of Palestine in the Asian Cup represents one of the historic events down the road of the Palestinian cause in sports. “The Guerilla” (as the passionate fans like to call the team – “The Knights” is their official nickname) qualified for the continental tournament after clinching the AFC Challenge Cup last April with a 1-0 victory over Philippines in Male.
The current generation of the national team cannot be judged the best in the history of Palestinian football as the gruelling conditions that the Palestinian people live through make it difficult to judge a national football team historically. But the availability of some of the shining stars in Palestinian football certainly gives the impression that “The Guerilla” is a very good team.
Attacker Ashra Nu’man is unquestionably the most celebrated star in Palestinian football, especially in the Arab world, due to the fact he had successful stints with Jordanian club Nadia Al Faisaly and Saudi side Al Faisaly. The attacker’s predatory instinct was crucial as his side lifted the AFC Challenge Cup, with Noman crowned top scorer of the tournament, bagging a match-winning brace versus Afghanistan in the semi-finals before scoring the decisive goal in the final.
But the talents in the Palestinian football do not stop there. Defensive midfielder Murad Ismail and defender Abdul Lateef Al Bahdary are also players of some skill, while the national team also consists of some names who have impressed in Eastern Europe. Alexis Norambuena won the Polish second-tier title with Belchatow last season, Jaka Ihbeisheh has starred for Solvenian club Karka and young attacker Mahmoud Eid has impressed with Swedish side Nykopings.
HOW FAR CAN PALESTINE GO?
The beauty of football is that is played on grass and not paper and the ambitions of a nation that have suffered from the scourge of war may yet have the final words in the Asia Cup. It was so when Iraq shocked the world to lift the 2007 title and there should be no limit to Palestine’s ambition.
The mission is not easy, though. In fact, it looks dreadfully complicated as they face reigning continental champions Japan, in addition to prestigious Arab teams Iraq and Jordan. Sometimes the desire to accomplish something for a bleeding nation can be a major motivation for sportsmen to complete a miracle. That is exactly what the national team is depending on.
The end of 2014 saw the Palestinian people left stunned when Australia voted against the nation’s proposed statehood at a meeting of the UN.
Football has become a symbol of struggle and confirmation of the rights of the people, it is the game that challenged the arbitrary political decision with a national anthem that honors the suffering of sport in Palestine. Now, on Australian soil of all places, Palestine has the chance to have its brightest sporting day.
