Hassan Hilu, the Israeli defender currently plying his trade with Japanese side Jubilo Iwata, has emphatically denied rumors linking him to the Palestinian national team.
Reports in Palestinian media suggested that their football association had approached Hilu to represent them in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, but the player has swiftly refuted these claims.
Hilu, who rose to prominence as one of the standout performers in the Israeli Premier League last season with Bnei Sakhnin, has been making waves in Japan's top flight. The talented centre-back has already clocked an impressive 525 minutes for Jubilo Iwata this season, establishing himself as a defensive mainstay and one of the most reliable defenders in the J1 League.
When asked by BabaGol about the alleged approach from the Palestinian Football Association for the October World Cup qualifiers against Iraq and Kuwait, Hilu was unequivocal in his response. "There's no truth to these reports," he stated firmly. "My focus is entirely different. I'm waiting for a call-up from the Israeli national team."
Hilu's commitment to potentially representing Israel on the international stage comes at a crucial time for both the Israeli national and Palestinian National teams.
This situation highlights the complex nature of international football allegiances, especially for players with diverse cultural backgrounds. Hilu's stance clarifies his international ambitions and underscores the potential depth of talent available to the Israeli national team. While Israel is striving for a solid centre-back, Palestine is also eyeing any Arab talent that was nurtured in Israel and hasn’t made an appearance for Israel.
One club level, Hilu’s team, Jubilo Iwata, is currently in a precarious 18th position in the J1 League after 31 rounds, embroiled in a fierce relegation battle. The defender's solid performances have been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging campaign for the Japanese outfit.
As the World Cup qualifiers approach, all eyes will be on whether Hilu's performances in Japan will indeed catch the attention of the Israeli national team selectors. For now, the defender remains focused on helping Jubilo Iwata climb out of the relegation zone while nurturing hopes of donning the blue and white of Israel on the international stage.
Down 3-0, Hapoel Beer Sheva roared back to a dramatic 3-3 draw with Maccabi Haifa, keeping their top spot in the Israeli league.