Dura: Shabab Al-Khaleel can already see the 2020/21 West Bank Premier League title after the 18 matchday.
It was in the air in recent weeks, but it seems that no one can stop Shabab Al-Khaleel from securing their fourth championship, and the first since 2015/16. Although their form since the winter break was, they couldn’t be in this position without a little help from their neighbours in Southern Mount Hebron - Shabab Dhahariah
Dhahariah and Ahmed Maher shocked Balata. (Photo: Palestine TV Youth & Sports)
Markez Balata v Shabab Dhahariah
On Monday, Dhahariah played against the second-place and reigning champions, Markez Balata, and managed to squeeze a dramatic draw, 4-4. If Balata were winning the clash, Shabab would have put tremendous pressure, as their gap from second place would have reduced to two points only. The American University Stadium in Jenin has witnessed some drama this season, but this match was on a different level.
Dhahariah scored first via Ali Adawy on the twelfth minute. Balata attacked in full force, and the veteran captain, Abdelatif Al-Bahadari, has equalized the score and made it 1-1, six minutes later. From this moment, the Nablusians took over the field, as Mohamed Abu Warda netted twice and made it 3-1 before the halftime whistle.
The second half started with a penalty by Ahmed Maher, who scored one back for the Dhahrawys, and quickly after two red cards, one for each team. With 10 against 10, Balata controlled the pace and made it 4-2 on the 79th minute. End of story? Guess again. Mohammed Fode and Ameed Makharzeh scored in stoppage time and concluded the match in a shocking draw.
Dhahariah is well known as Shabab Al-Khaleel's arch-rivals, but today they gave the leaders a real chance to open a seven-point gap, four games to the end of the season.
Shabab Al-Khaleel v Al-Bireh
On their match at their favourite stadium, the Dura International, Shabab Al-Khaleel, was ready to grab the chance Dhahariah gave them.
Oday Kharoub scored the first for Al-Ameed on the 24th minute, but Al-Bireh got a penalty, which Mohammed Natour converted and equalized eight minutes later. Shabab lost its enthusiasm but got a second advantage in the 53rd minute through Dawood Salah, who scored a goal after a horrific mistake by Al-Bireh’s goalkeeper.
But Al-Bireh did not let go and scored a beautiful equalizer through Ahmad Abu Khadija, who went through two players and found Shabab’s goalie, Azmi Shweiki, unprepared. 2-2 in Dora! Shabab froze there. Yet, never call a game on a team that has Tamer Seyam. The Palestinian international, who returned to Shabab Al-Khaleel from Moroccan side Hassania Agadir, scored a powerful header on the 68th minute and made it 3-2.
This score remained until the final whistle, which meant that Shabab Al-Khaleel expanded their advantage at the top of the table to seven points, as the championship title has started to its road to Hebron, with some generous help from Dhahariah.
Other Notable results
Hilal Al-Quds v Ahli Al-Khaleel 1-0
Jabel Mukaber v Tubas 0-1
Taraji Wad Al-Nes v Al-Am’ari 2-5
Al-Samu v Thagafi Tulkarem 2-2
Photo via Qusay Abu Snena.
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