Sometimes sports and politics mingle, and when they do - sparks can be seen for great distances. One such example can be highlighted by a recent soccer game held in the Ramat Gan Stadium, near Tel Aviv in which a last gasp goal from Israeli Arab player Abbas Suwan held Ireland 1-1 and threw World Cup qualifying Group 4 wide open.
Residents of Sakhnin, an Arab town in northern Israel, were enthusiastically celebrating in the streets Saturday night after local hero Abbas Suwan, "Abnaa Sakhnin" striker, scored a very dramatic last-minute goal to lift Israel to a 1:1 draw against Ireland.
The Irish team led throughout the game after an early goal, but an extremely powerful drive by Suwan in the 90th minute found the left side, keeping Israel in a good position in its World Cup qualifiers pool. Israel's prospects of reaching the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany were rescued by this dramatic 91st-minute equalizer.
Following the exciting game, Suwan mentioned it was his first goal for the national Israeli team and added he hoped more will come in the future.
It should be noted that just about a month ago, Suwan was heavily booed by Jerusalem’s Beitar fans in a friendly match against Croatia, because he is Arab. Beitar is widely identified with the Israeli Right-Wing.
Saturday’s spectacular goal, however, was the appropriate answer to all those who booed, Suwan said. He stated that the goal was his answer to the racists. "After what happened to me in Jerusalem, it was very moving to hear 40,000 fans cheering me. The goal is dedicated to everyone in Israel. It is time to stop talking of Jews and Arabs; we are all one people," he made clear.
“I thank everyone who cheered on the national team and made no distinction between Arabs and Jews,” he said. “Everyone hugged me in the dressing room because they remembered what had happened.”
In the meantime, an array of fireworks lit up the skies of Sakhnin, where a convoy of honking cars made its way to Suwan’s house minutes after the game ended. Suwan’s father, Abu Ahmed, said he could not express the excitement he felt in words.
“It’s worth more than a million dollars,” he said. “The honor he brought to the town, the (Arab) sector, and the entire country, is worth all the money in the world.”
Suwan’s wife, Safa, was the first to call him and congratulate him on the dramatic goal. “You brought great joy to all your fans and to an entire nation,” she told him. Suwan’s brother, Assam, said the family was very proud of him. “It’s great pride, to have the entire country talking about my brother,” he said. “You cannot ask for more”.
© 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
