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News
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Ali Chaaban [14] the 3rd from the
right first row with the Lebanese Olympic National Team during a
training session on Beirut Municipality Stadium 17-03-2003 (Photo
by Shoot Magazine)
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Inclement
Weather Puts Damper On Chaaban's Big Debut..
Ali Chaaban's dream shot of international football was
ruined by weather. The leatherhead striker was called up by the
Lebanese Olympic team to play in a friendly against Syria.
But torrential rain prevented a ball being kicked as two
attempts to play the game failed. "I was gutted", said Chaaban,
"I couldn't believe that both games were called off, I was fired
up and ready to play."
However, the 21-year-old hit-man impressed in training sessions
with the U23 squad, and feels He has a chance of gaining his
first cap in the future. "I did well," added Chaaban. "We played
a lot of one and two touch football in the training sessions.
The coach was pleased with me. We then played a match and I was
banging in the goals. There was some really good players out
there, I was surprised. I was a bit weird at first, but when I
got to know them it felt normal. By the end of it they were
asking me to show some skills."
Chaaban, who qualifies to play for the Lebanon through his
parents, fears the Olympic qualifiers against Jordan, originally
scheduled for this month may be postponed because of the war in
Iraq.
In fact, the Tanners' top scorer was stopped from leaving the
country last week by the Lebanese army. "They wanted me for the
national service," explained Chaaban, "and wouldn't let me out
of the country. I needed to prove that I lived in England for
more than five years, but couldn't at the airport. I needed all
these papers to stop me from joining the army. It was so
frustrating. I was supposed to get back on Saturday but didn't
arrive home until last Thursday."
Eventually the Lebanese FA stepped in to help Chaaban, but He is
now unable to return to the Middle East until the relevant
documentation is in place.
Chaaban was back in action for Leatherhead on Saturday, and in
Tuesday's night clash with Bognor Regis town. And he is now
focused on the weekend's bottom-of-the-table match with Bromley
at Fetcham Grove, "I felt unfit on Saturday," admitted Chaaban
who spent a lot of time with little to do in the Lebanon. " We
only trained four times as the rest of the squad were called
back to their different teams. I played a bit with my cousins
but it was not enough. After Tuesday's game I will get back into
proper training so I'm ready for Molesey."
Written by Stuart White
Source: An
English local Newspaper -
www.icsurreyonline.co.uk
Leatherhead FC
Official Website
(Ali
Chaaban official Club)
Thanks to
Hamzi Hamdan
for sending this article
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