Palestine's World Cup Dream: Saudi Arabia and Malaysia

The Palestinian national team took center stage last month as they started their long, difficult road to the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Asia's World Cup qualification is an extremely difficult process for the weaker teams who are usually paired up against much stronger opponents and eliminated very early on in the competition. A new format saw Palestine be drawn into a group with Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, East Timor, and the UAE. In June, Palestine played their first two games against the Saudis and Malaysia. This is Palestine's story of heartbreak, resilience, pride, and joy. 

The very young, inexperienced Palestinian national team consisting of player from Sweden, Slovenia, and Chile.

First, the Palestinians faced the enormous, seemingly-impossible task of defeating the Saudis at their home. The Saudi team is much more experienced and consists of players who play in some of the world's top leagues, and was obviously confident they would not drop points to their far-weaker Arab counterparts. The game started terribly for the Palestinians. Five minutes in the Saudis scored and the possibility of an upset seemed all but over. Second half starts, and the Saudis find themselves another goal. The game seemed over, the Palestinians defeated. Chilean-Palestinian Pablo Tamburini thought otherwise and found the end of a cross to get the Palestinians right back in it. 2-1 down and less then two minutes left to play, the game was surely over. Saudi's goalkeeper though otherwise. An extremely stupid move saw the goalie give the ball straight to Chilean-Palestinian striker Matias Jadue who calmly sent the ball into the net and put the Palestinians on level terms. The Palestinians went berserk. Pure Euphoria. Against all odds, they managed to level the game against one of the strongest teams in Asia and their World Cup dream was still intact. There was just one problem. The game hadn't ended. The ref blew his whistle to start play for the last minute of stoppage time remaining and some horrendous defending led to utter heartbreak. The Saudis managed to score. The last kick of the game was the Saudi Arabian goal and the Palestinians were in shock. I, watching from a grainy live stream, could not believe my eyes. In a matter of seconds, pure euphoria turned to complete agony. It was heartbreaking to watch, but the Palestinians had done it to themselves. 

Now, the Palestinians had to pick themselves up and try to get a win against a relatively strong Malaysian side. The two teams seemed evenly matched and the game could go either way. One advantage Malaysia had over the Palestinians was the home-field advantage, and the support of thousands of dedicated fans. Both teams had something to prove and this was their opportunity to make a name for themselves. The World Cup may still be a world away, but these game hold the same importance for these players as the World Cup final does for players like Messi. Palestine had a point to prove and needed the points to have any hope of advancing out of their group. 

The Palestinians took to the field, and they did not disappoint. Goals rained into the Malaysian net, and the Palestinians found themselves up 3-0 by halftime. They were playing some of the best football in their entire history and seemed unstoppable. The Malaysians looked like boys among men, and could not withstand the sheer quality of the Palestinian players. Perhaps the most incredible story to come out of the game is that of Sameh Maraaba. The young Palestinian player was traveling with team almost a year ago, and was detained and unjustly imprisoned by Israeli Security forces. Strict travel restriction made this the norm for the Palestinians and it was assumed he would be quickly released. The young footballing hopeful found himself locked inside an Israeli prison for 8 months for absolutely no reason or evidence. After pressure by the international community, Israel finally released him and he was welcomed home as a hero. Imprisonment had taken its toll on Sameh  and he was out of shape and not the young football prodigy that he once seemed to be. Despite his unjust circumstances, Sameh trained nonstop and soon found himself on the roster for Palestine's team traveling to Malaysia. By the end of the Malaysia game, Palestine had annihilated and humiliated the Malaysians and won 6-0. Sameh was one of the best players on the pitch and scored two great goals to lead his team to victory. 12 moths earlier, young Sameh was locked up somewhere in an Israeli prison with no hope of survival and now he lead his team to international glory.  

Sameh Maraaba celebrating his goal. 

The Malaysia game left Palestinians everywhere feeling a sense of national pride and jubilation. It was by far one of Palestine's best game in their football history and will not be forgotten anytime soon. Palestine now sit atop their group and still have to play UAE and East Timor, then every team again. Although World Cup qualification is a long way away and is still an extremely difficult, unlikely accomplishment for the Palestinian National Team, the significance of such a huge win extends far beyond just football. This sent a message to the rest of the world the Palestine is still here, still struggling, but still surviving. Despite not having a recognized nation, having one of the worlds highest unemployment rate, worst economies, most populated cities, and under constant threat of Israeli occupation, Palestinians remain hopeful of a brighter tomorrow. Sameh Maraaba is just one example of how dedication and resilience can go a long way, which is something that all Palestinians need right now. I want to thank the heroes out on the pitch who showed us what it means to be a Palestinian. In the words of the Egyptian commentator who went insane after Palestine's fantastic performance, "Raise your head, you are an Arab! Raise your head, you are a Palestinian!" 

The Palestinians pray after scoring against Malaysia. 

The team celebrate after their historic win. 

Palestinian Profiles: Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish is a prime example of a man able to defy all expectations and achieve something incredible. Born in the Jabbalia refugee camp in Gaza, Dr. Abuelaish received all his primary education from schools set up across refugee camps. Despite the challenges associated with such an inadequate environment, Dr Abulaish made the best of his situation is studied harder than most students. This perseverance and diligence allowed Dr. Abuelaish to study medicine in Egypt London, and even Harvard. Today, Dr. Abulaish is a renowned gynecologist. However, the most incredible, heart breaking part of Dr. Abulaish's story is the murder of his three children and a niece at the hands of an Israeli bombing. Dr. Abulaish was the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli hospital, and for all his kindness he was repayed by the shelling of his own home and murder of his own children. His heart-wrenching story serves as an example of the impudent, inhumane, heartless nature of the Israeli military.This attack left Dr. Abuelaish's world in ruins, and despite three of his own children being killed at the hands of the oppressive Israeli military, Dr. Abuelaish refused to let hate consume his soul. He instead saw the imminent importance of bringing peace and eradicating hate from both sides of the conflict, in hopes of ending the seemingly endless cycle of violence that so unfairly took his daughters' lives. Dr. Abuelaish has written an incredibly touching book on his unfortunate situation, called I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity . Dr. Abuelaish also gave an extremely moving TED Talk at TEDxWaterlooo. Dr. Abuelaish is a man we should all strive to be like, because despite the pain and suffering he has faced throughout his life, he refuses to succumb to the harmful nature of hate and instead radiates love.

"The greatest weapon of mass destruction is the hate in our souls." -Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish

Dr. Abuelaish's TED Talk:

Dr. Abuelaish's Personal Foundation in memory of his daughters:
http://daughtersforlife.com/devdfl2013/   

Palestinian Profiles: Omar Jarun

  At first glimpse, you wouldn't think Omar Jarun could possibly be a Palestinian footballer. Towering at a ridiculous height of 6 feet 5 inches, Omar looks more like he plays american football and is as American and white as can get. He has a deep, southern voice and dosen't speak a word of Arabic. However, Omar is a Palestinian football legend. Since his first callup to the team in 2007, Omar has established himself as a great of Palestinian football and by far one of the greatest defenders to represent Palestine. At age 31, Jarun's career is coming to a close and we look back into the start of his career, his greatest moments, and current performance.
  Omar was born in Kuwait to an American mother and father from Jordan, but had Palestinian roots. With the ensuing Gulf War, Jarun's family fled the country when Omar was still at a young age. They moved to the promised land, The United Sates and lived in Peachtree, Georgia. Omar was raised and started his footballing career here. Jarun played for his high school soccer team, and showed immense talent as a forward (later he changes to a more defensive role). Combined with his incredible vision and towering height, Jarun was a top talent and a move to a top college for soccer was imminent. Like every young teenager, Jarun dreamt of playing for the United States National team, but it was to be otherwise.

Omar using his height to beat a defender and win a header. 

    Omar was offered to play soccer for the University of Memphis and later at the University of Dayton, where he started his promising career. Jarun was a great forward and later center back, but not enough to be drafted into the MLS, so he had to start his professional career from the bottom. He was offered his first professional contract with American third division side Fort Wayne Fever in Indiana. Jarun had to crawl his way up to a truly great team, and stated by giving consistent performances with his lowly team. Upon his impressive games in Indiana, Jarun was spotted by Chicago Fire FC, and got an offer to be a part of their U-23 squad. After a year, it was time for Omar to move on, and he decided to move back to where he grew up, Georgia. He played a solid two years with the second division side, Atlanta Silverbacks.
     Atlanta was where Omar started making a name for himself, and got the attention of Palestinian and Jordanian scouts looking for footballers who had roots in their respective countries. Omar was the product of the Palestinian diaspora and was highly coveted for scouts looking for incredible, foreign talent to bolster the squad. Despite an offering from the highly rated Jodanian national team, Omar agreed to play for the land of his ancestors and be a part of Palestine's unjust, difficult, and dangerous footballing journey. At club level, Omar was offered a move to another NASL side Vancouver Whitecaps (started in MLS in 2010) where he played his some of the best games in his career. He even featured in a match agianst L.A. Galaxy and superstar David Beckham. However, Jarun's most incredible stories come form his lesser known and highly underated national team.

   Palestinian football is now greater then it has ever been, but it was a long, difficult, and dangerous road to get there. Jarun started in 2007, where he would become an integral part of Palestine's under-preforming, under funded, and highly disappointing team. The team faced all sort of problems, from internal problems with the PFA(Palestinian Football Association) to external problems including travel restriction, player arrests, and other problems put in place by Israel. Football was Palestine's only voice, and a  medium for the country to get some international recognition it despretaley needs and deserves. With knowledge of a rapidly growing team, Israel has tried everything to hinder any team progress by arresting and torturing players (Mahmoud Sarsak), murdering former players (Ahed Zaqout), and placing extremely difficult travel restrictions to avoid the team from leaving the country. Despite all this, Omar Jarun was not afraid of playing and was proud to represent his people. Although not much to show for it, Omar career with Palestine team has been nothing short of incredible. Despite enduring several disappointing losses, Jarun has been an active part of the squad. He has participated in all types of tournaments including the West Asian Football Federation Championship, 2 disappointing World Cup qualifying campaigns, and several runs in the AFC Challenge Cup. His hard work finally came to fruition in the summer of 2014, when he lead Palestine to an AFC Challenge cup victory and allowed no goals the entire tournament.

Omar (middle) preparing for a World Cup qualification game.

       For all his hard work and dedication, Jarun was rewarded by not being chosen to play in Palestine's biggest and most important tournament, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in Australia. After a horrendous tournament, Palestine's faliure of a coach, Ahmad El- Hassan, will be shaking his head at the stupid decision to not bring Omar along. After several brief stints with teams around the world including Belgium, Omar returned to another NASL team, Ottawa Fury, and is an important member of their squad. Omar's future with the Palestine national team is uncertain, and he may decide to hang up his boots after not being chosen despite all his hard work. However, Palestinian fans everywhere can only pray Omar decides to remain with the team, for his experience and work ethic is unprecedented. On a personal note, I want to say I have met Omar and must describe him as a gentle giant, and an extremely kind and humble man. I watched his NASL game between Ottawa and his former team Atlanta, and despite not playing, he met up with me after the game and was extremely kind. His contagious smile, combined with his ridiculous work ethic makes him a legend on and off the pitch. I speak for Palestine fans everywhere when I say Omar is one of the greatest players to have worn the Palestinian jersey, and can only hope that he decides to remain with the squad. Thank you Omar!

Omar running with the ball in Palestine's game vs. Qatar

For more on Palestinian football, be sure to check out http://footballpalestine.blogspot.com/
Omar Highlight Video:

My pictures with Omar: 

Me and my brother with the man himself, Omar Jarun.