Jerusalem: The Jerusalem derby is always fueled with more than just a football rivalry.
Palestinian West Bank Premier League played its second matchday over the weekend, and in centre of things, and not from the good reasons, was the Jerusalem Derby.
Hilal Al-Quds v Jabal Mukaber
The rivalry of East Jerusalem symbolizes much more than football. It is the rivalry between the traditional Maqdasieen (Jerusalemites) from the old city, and those from the villages in the surroundings and the Khalilieen, the Hebronite immigrants, that in the past 25 years have been storming Jerusalem in search for work and better lives.
In previous seasons, Hilal Al-Quds ruled the Palestinian football scenario without competitors. Championships, cups and Asian campaigns in the AFC Cup saw the Capital Lions making their name as one of the biggest sports institutions in Palestine.
READ: West Bank Premier League: Hilal Al-Quds’ Home Grown Hopes
Three years that the neighbours from Jabal Mukaber looked with envy on Hilal, and dreamed about doing the same. Winning titles, derbies, attracting the most talented kids in the 02 area code to their ranks.
After a couple of failed attempts after building expensive squads, this season, the people of Jabel al-Mukaber is aiming to get their revenge. Hilal is in a bad financial situation, as professionally - they also lost a significant number of talented and prominent players to the Israeli league. Therefore, when the two met on Friday eve at Faisal Husseini stadium in Al-Ram, it was obvious that there will be some extra-curricular activity.
In the first half, Al-Hilal made attempts through Mohamed Obeid and Mohammed Darwish, but Al-Mukaber responded with the only goal of the match, in the 36th minute when the took advantage of the wrong exit of goalkeeper Mahdi Zoabi. Midfielder Hisham Al-Salhi found forward Shehab Qanbar in the box, who headed the ball into the net.
In the second half, Hilal Al-Quds were dominating the match completely. They created a few opportunities, through the movements of the fantastic defenders, Musa Firawi on the right, and Ihab Shaheen on the left.
But it wasn’t enough for Al-Hilal, who is missing some qualities in critical positions, together with an impressive performance of Al-Mukaber’s goalkeeper Ahmed Salama, who showed some wonderful reactions, especially the last ball of defender Mohamed Abu Mayala that could pose a draw.
After the final whistle, this is when the problems have started.
Fans of Hilal Al-Quds, who are according to sources, close to the club’s current management stormed the terraces and began fighting with Jabal Mukaber’s fans who also stormed the stadium from another entrance.
In recent times East Jerusalem has been drowning with illegal weapons, and this brawl was no different as gunshots were heard, while fans have torn stadium’s seats from their place and threw them at their opponents that were outside of the stadium.
Eye-witnesses from outside the stadium told BabaGol that the gunshots were by the local Palestinian forces who tried to get control on the situation.
Luckily and allegedly, no casualties were reported, and per to sources, there are efforts to bring the flames down. In any case, this is not a good look and not a good sign for the rest of the season.
Together with last week’s victory against Shabab Al-Khaleel, al-Mukaber has now six points seating on top of the table, while Hilal Al-Quds are with only three points and ranked sixth.
OTHER RESULTS:
Shabab Samou v Taraji Wad Al-Nes 2:0
Al-Bireh v Tubas 2:0
Thaqafi Tulkarem v Shabab Dharaiah 0:1
Shabab Al-Khaleel v Merkaz Balata 0:0
Ahli Al-Khaleel v Al-Am’ari 1:1
Photo by Ashraf Abed.
