Shabab Al-Kaheel is very near to secure a fourth championship title after the 18th matchday of the West Bank Premier League. Except doing their own share, they enjoyed and unpredictable help from the long-time rivals, Dhahariah.
The West Bank Premier League title race involves five teams. Shabab Al-Khaleel and Hilal Al-Quds' match could mark a focal point, as there are only eight games to go.
Sunday in Faisal Husseini: Young Hilal Al-Quds will play Balata in a clash of two Palestinian football generations. Shabab Al-Khalil will follow closely.
(All the hours are in CET)
Amateur (Like this guy)
What? Qatar – Iraq (AFC U-23 Championship)
When? Friday, 15:45
Where? Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Why? After Japan and South Korea qualified to the Olympic Games, now it's the time to check which team will win the third Asian berth. Qatar played twice at the Olympic tournament, the last one was in Barcelona 1992. Iraq played four times at the Olympic tournament, while their last appearance in Athens 2004 ended with the fourth place.
Key Players: Don't miss Qatari Ahmed Alaa, an Al Rayyan player and the leading scorer of the tournament with 5 goals. Iraqi Mohannad Abdul-Raheem was Asia’s young player of the year in 2012 and the U-19 championship MVP in the same year, definitely one of the future stars of the Iraqi football.
The Repeat: As we said before, the final of the tournament will be Japan and South Korea. Four years ago they met in the bronze medal match of the Olympic Games. What an Asian footy feast it was!
Professional (like this goal)
What? Shabab Al-Khadr – Shabab Al-Khaleel (West Bank Premier League)
When? Saturday, 16:00
Where? Al-Khadr Stadium, Al-Khadr
Why? The match of the season in the Palestinian league will be the main course this weekend. Both teams have their own dreams of winning the title, as after half season Shabab Al-Khaleel lead with 25 points and Shabab Al-Khadr are in 2nd place with 22 points.
Key Players: Sameh Maraaba of Shabab Al-Khadr was in the Israeli prison, as he was suspected to be involved in terror activity. Now he is one of the league’s best scorers with 6 goals. Shabab Al-Khaleel has the league top scorer, Ahmed Abu Nahyeh, who also shined in the national team with 4 international goals in 3 caps.
Patriotic Feeling: Mahran Abu Raya signed two weeks ago for Al-Khadr. He played for many years in Bnei Sakhnin and one of his great goals was against their arch-rivals, Beitar Jerusalem.
World Class (like these goals)
What? Kiwi – Veitongo (OFC Champions League)
When? Sunday, 01:30
Where? CIFA Academy Field, Matavera
Why? Four champions of Oceania’s minor leagues compete for one spot to qualify for the OFC Champions League group stage. Samoan champions Kiwi need a draw to clinch the spot at the next round. Veitongo from Tonga lost their first two matches and they hope to finish the tournament with a decent result.
Key Players: Kiwi will thank their New Zealand forward, Thomas Mosquera, who scored 4 goals in this campaign. Take a look at Veitongo's Anthony Likiliki, who made debut for his national team last year, when he was only 15 years old.
Once in a Lifetime: Since Australia left the OFC, New Zealand is dominating the Champions League. Only once a New Zealand team failed to win the title – In 2010, Waitakere United lost the final against Hekari United from Papua New Guinea.
