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Mar 9 '18
HEBRON, West Bank -- For over a week, Palestinian soccer fans have been enjoying a special Christmas-season present: the first visit by Chilean soccer club Deportivo Palestino to the West Bank. Cheap White Sox Jerseys China .Two-time winners of Chiles Premier Division and quarter finalists in this years Copa Sudamerica, Palestino was founded in 1920 in the capital city Santiago by Palestinian immigrants. The team has a huge following among Palestinians and President Mahmoud Abbas once described the club as a second national team for the Palestinian people.The main purpose of this visit is to reconnect the team to our origins in Palestine, said team general manager Christian Elben Nazal, whose father immigrated to Chile from the town of Beit Jala.Chile is believed to be the home of the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world, most from the historically Christian towns of Beit Jala, Bethlehem and Beit Sahur. The teams red, white, black and green jersey represents the colors of the Palestinian flag and the communitys attachment to their ancestral land.During the week-long visit, Palestino has visited historical sites and played two matches, one with the Palestinian national team, and another with an all-star team from the Hebron area. It also conducted training sessions with children and young players.Soccer fans braved the rain and chilly weather as they sat in the small stadium waiting for the beginning of the Hebron match last Thursday.The events announcer practiced introductions in Arabic and Spanish. Long banners on the side of the field read: From Santiago to Jerusalem you are in our heart.Palestinian national songs played over speakers, followed by the visiting teams Spanish Hymno de Club Deportivo Palestino as the competing squads entered the stadium to the crowds cheers.I dont care who wins, said Osama Montasir, 54, a local fan. We are witnessing an athletic carnival between Palestinians of the motherland and the diaspora.Palestinian sports officials are hoping the visit will push the game of soccer forward here.They will see how sports here suffer, said Hisham Abu Shekhidem, a team manager and a former player for Hebrons Al-Ahli soccer club. We will gain experience from them and this will help our national team.Like so many other aspects of Palestinian life, soccer is clouded by the rocky relationship with Israel. The Palestinian soccer federation has repeatedly attempted -- unsuccessfully -- to have Israel expelled from the FIFA world soccer federation on various grounds, accusing Israel of blocking the movement of athletes and saying that teams in West Bank settlements are illegal.Chilean players of Palestinian descent have come to play with local teams and the national squad in recent years. Now, Palestino is eyeing Palestinian players to come play in Chiles soccer leagues.Shadi Shaban, 24, a midfielder and former player in both the Palestinian and Israeli leagues, is now on loan to Palestino after being spotted during a training camp for Hebrons Al-Ahli in Santiago last year.Playing in Chile has been a great experience, its a higher level of soccer, said Shaban, who has been playing in Chile now for six months. As the first Palestinian to play in Chile, I opened the gate and I hope others will follow.While the Palestinian national soccer team currently ranks far behind at 133, according to this months FIFA rankings, Roberto Tito Bishara, a former player for Palestino and the Palestinian national team, is optimistic that the team will improve.I know how much they are trying to develop soccer here. Im sure Palestine will be in a World Cup soon, Bishara said.Palestino hasnt escaped controversy. In 2014, the Chilean Football Federation forced the club to alter its jersey that carried the number one in the shape of historical Palestine, including all of what is now Israel, after complaints from local Jewish organizations.On the current visit, the team had hoped to travel to Gaza but was unable to arrange the trip.While touring Jerusalems Old City last week, the players were also slightly startled by the sound of gunshots and the scene of soldiers running following the shooting of a Palestinian youth who stabbed and lightly wounded two Israeli police officers with a screwdriver.We were not surprised, its what we read about, but it was the first time to live the experience, said manager Nazal.The fast-paced match between Palestino and the Hebron all-stars team ended with a 1-1 draw.Carrying a cardboard sign that read Cheer for Palestine, Muhammad Netcha, 28, found the result to his liking.I support both teams, he said. Its a match between Palestine and Palestine. Early Wynn Jersey . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week. Wholesale White Sox Jerseys . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. http://www.cheapwhitesoxjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-james-shields-jersey . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night.With just one week until Judgement Night, players are battling against elimination when the Premier League heads to Liverpool. Robert Thornton needs a win from one of his two games to keep alive his survival hopes, while Michael Smith and Dave Chisnall are also scrapping for their places this Thursday night, live on Sky Sports.The battle for top spot is also intensifying, with Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and James Wade pursuing leader Michael van Gerwen, but who is Wayne picking as his winners and losers? Price Boost Smith, Anderson & Lewis all to win now 13/2 from 11/2 Michael Smith v Robert Thornton Robert Thornton is still searching for his first win of the campaign Robert Thornton was good last week, he played better. I had the pleasure of spending my whole Sunday with Robert as we were doing an exhibition together in Irvine. He said hes feeling so much better than he has done throughout the whole of the Premier League. Hes using new darts and has a new lease of life.I actually think hell do a job on Michael Smith, who missed last week and is coming back. You kind of feel like youre out of it again. You never have any rhythm when that happens.I just think that Robert right now has got more confidence than hes had since the start. That can only be positive.Prediction: Robert can claim his first win with an improved performance. (Thornton 2/1 with Sky Bet to win)Gary Anderson v Dave Chisnall Gary Anderson picked up two victories on night seven in Glasgow Gary was brilliant last week, I thought he was sensational. Weve alluded to it so often about the pressure that hes under when he plays in Scotland. Weve played in Aberdeen and Glasgow and Anderson has not let them down once. Hes averaged over a ton in every game, won six points out of six in Scotland. Hes looking good and hes only a point off top. I think the way that Gary is carrying on, hell march into the play-offs. Lessons from a champion Gary Anderson has high hopes for protege Michael Smith Chizzy on the other hand, he plays well and gets beat, he plays poor and gets beat. He needs to find a point at least, just to stop the rot. Dave hasnt won since the very first week. Against Gary, hes only going to get a point at best, but Im going for an Anderson win.Prediction: Gary will take victory in a close game. (Anderson 7/1 with Sky Bet to win 7-5)Adrian Lewis v Raymond van Barneveld Adrian Lewis produced lacklustre display in last weeks defeat to Gary Anderson I reckon these two are so unpredictable, that they literally get out of the bed on different sides every morning. Tim Anderson Jersey. They are lunatics, the pair of them. All joking aside, I do fancy Adrian Lewis for this match. He is really hungry to get in the play-offs, because it has only happened twice in eight attempts, and thats just poor. Hes had four wins so far and there is no reason why he cant have another.Barneys brilliance of last week doesnt mean hes going to be anything like the same this week. Adrian was poor last week. Do I think he will be poor again? No, but he could be! His good performances have come off a bad one and I think this could be the same.Prediction: Lewis will edge Barney in a last-leg thriller. (Lewis 15/2 with Sky Bet to win 7-5)Phil Taylor v Peter Wright Phil Taylor held Michael van Gerwen to a draw Peter Wright is playing great without winning. It doesnt make sense and it wont continue. Maybe this is the week? You cant keep averaging between 103 and 106 and not pick up points. Im bamboozled how its happened. Taylor is coming round to the fact that he has to fight to be called the worlds best player. Wayne Mardle Its going to be a real tight game this one, but I think Phil Taylor has got the bit between his teeth. Taylor is coming round to the fact that he has to fight to be called the worlds best player. I think hes ready for that tussle for the next year to 18 months. I think by just being in the play-offs for the Premier League, hell have a chance to beat Michael, but first off hes got to get into the play-offs. A win against Wright will do him a massive favour later on.Prediction: Taylor will beat Wright 7-5. (Taylor 7/1 with Sky Bet to win 7-5)Michael van Gerwen v Robert Thornton Michael van Gerwen has been performing at a high standard in recent weeks The pressure is on Robert, but after listening to him at the weekend and watching him last week, he will just play. Who expected him to beat Michael in the World Grand Prix final? No one.Look, Michael played below average last week, averaging 107, and had a 170 checkout. If hes a bit below that average of 107, I think he still wins this game quite comfortably. I just expect Michael to have too much for Robert.Prediction: Michael to complete a convincing win over Thornton. SKY BET PRICE BOOST: MVG to win, hit the highest checkout & score most 180s now 1/1 (was 8/11)!Watch all the Premier League action this Thursday night, starting at 7pm on Sky Sports 1. 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