Eight games are behind in the West Bank Premier League, and this season already seems to be a historical one.
On Friday evening, Tubas, a newly promoted team from a village in the northern part of the West Bank, that plays its first season in the West Bank Premier League, managed to shock the reigning champions, Shabab Balata. Tubas enjoyed a 95th-minute winner by the 21 years old Mohammed Fakhri, who scored in the death zone, to grant his team with their second ever win in the league. With their second loss in three games, Balata is now fourth.
Who Will Stop Jabel al-Mukbaer?
The big winners from this result are, of course, Jabel Mukaber. The team from East Jerusalem haven’t lost yet a single match in the league. This is the first time Mukaber are listing such stats.
One interesting fact: Mukaber’s victories are not a wonders work or something; they usually come as a comeback. On Monday, again, they came from behind after being down 0-1 against Al-Am’ari, for a 2-1 victory.
For the time being, something very exceptional is required to prevent Jabel Mukaber from winning the Palestinian title.
First victory for Taraji, Clásico Khaleele for Shabab
It finally arrived after two months: Taraji Wad al-Nes got their first victory in 2020/21. The small village team from the Bethlehem area managed to get first points after seven straight losses. More importantly, it was against one of their main rivals in the relegation fight, Thagafi Tulkarem. A modest 1-0 victory thanks to a goal by veteran Khader Abuhammed.
Shabab Al-Khaleel has won the Clásico Khaleele, the Hebron county derby - Dhahariah against Shabab. The rivalry had a year off when the Dharawys were in the second division, and in the first derby after their return, they managed to lose. Unending Ahmed Maher gave Dhahariah the lead, but Rami Masalmeh and Khaldoun Halman have twisted things around. 2-1 Shabab in full-time.
Photo via Shabab al-Khaleel official Facebook page.
