Palestinian officials say that Israeli security restrictions have held back the national soccer team and see its participation as a symbol of global recognition. By Christa Case Bryant 10 hours ago Done It wasan unorthodox pre-match workout: scampering up and down rocky hillsides to company website avoid Israeli soldiers. But as Moussa Abu Jazars Jerusalem -based soccerteam approached an Israeli checkpoint en route to a Bethlehem match in 2010, he knew he could be caught for having an expired permit. So he circumvented the checkpoint on foot, rejoining his teammates farther down the highway. Other Palestinian players have been imprisoned, fatally shot at protests, and injured or killed in conflicts in Gaza . Security forces have raided clubs and paid a recent visit to the Palestine Football Association (PFA).All of which makes the underdog teams first-ever participation in Asia s biggest soccer tournament, which kicks off Friday, a cause of celebration after an otherwise difficult year for Palestinians. Recommended: How much do you know about the Palestinians? Take our quiz The team qualified for the Asian Cup by beating the Philippines last May.Thousands turned out in the West Bank to welcome the players home after a victory that earned them their first-ever slot in Asias biggest soccer tournament, which started Friday in Australia . As the 115th-ranked team globally, a notch above Iraq, nobody expects Palestine to bring home a trophy.
Full story: http://news.yahoo.com/asian-soccer-tournament-field-dreams-palestines-players-120004262.html
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Asian Soccer Tournament Is Field Of Dreams For Palestine's Players - Yahoo News
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