HEBRON: Shabab Al-Khaleel and Hilal Al-Quds met for an important match in the West Bank Premier League on Sunday.
After a few seasons with one dominant team setting the pace (Hilal Al-Quds and then Shabab Balata), this season the Palestinian Pro League has a much more diverse and competitive title race.
Shabab Al-Khaleel (Hebron), Merkaz Balata (Nablus), Jabel Mukaber (Jerusalem), Shabab Al-Am’ari (Ramallah) and Hilal Al-Quds (Jerusalem), are all in the chase for the first place, with eight points gap between the first and the fifth in the table.
Tamer Seyam (Shabab Al-Khaleel, in white) fighting with Sari Jodallah (Hilal Al-Quds, in blue) in a top clash of Palestinian football. (Photo: Shurooq Al-Shareef)
On Sunday, Shabab Al-Khaleel and Hilal Al-Quds met at the Dura International Stadium, for a clash that might become a crucial one for all five teams.
Hilal arrived at the match in good shape, with victories against Jabel Mukaber and Balata in recent games. Shabab Al-Khaleel, that since the arrival of Tamer Seyam looks much more dangerous looked to win and open a serious gap between Hilal Al-Quds and Al-Am’ari.
The match was one of the most quality games in the West Bank Premier League this year, but ended in a 0-0 draw, as neither of teams managed to find the back of the net.
The controversial moment came in the 80th minute when one of Shabab Al-Khaleel’s defenders committed a handball within his own box after a freekick by Islam Al-Batran. Still, VAR isn’t an integral part in the league. However, it was quite clear it was a direct handball. Hilal, unrightfully so, was neglected a penalty that could have been a crucial one.
The match ended in a draw, what kept the eight-point gap between the Hebronites in the first place, and the Jerusalemites in the fifth. For Shabab, it is a good result, as they remain on top, but for Hilal, things just got more complicated. With eight games in hand, an eight-point gap, it seems that retaining the title is a mission impossible for the Blues, but in the West Bank Premier League, we never say never.
🇵🇸 West Bank Premier League
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) February 14, 2021
FULL TIME:
⚫️ Shabab Al-Khaleel 0
🔵 Hilal Al-Quds 0
A penalty for Hilal wasn't given, and VAR wasn't there.
Hilal is losing its grip with the top flock, Shabab will wait for the results of its rivals: Balata, Jabel Mukaber and Al-Am'ari.#WBPL pic.twitter.com/vdwHnfoiWY
The 15th and 16th matchdays will run throughout this week, with more critical matches for the title race in Palestine:
Monday (Today): Merkaz Balata v Shabab Al-Samu
Tuesday (Tomorrow): Jabel Mukaber v Taraji Wad Al-Nes
Thursday: Shabab Al-Khaleel v Shabab Al-Am’ari
Photo by Shurooq Al-Shareef, a Palestinian photojournalist that covers all sports in Palestine and more.
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