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CNN
3 days ago
- General
- CNN
Representing nation is one of the ‘greatest honors,' says history-making Palestinian soccer star Oday Dabbagh
Not many players could take a more perfect penalty: the ball confidently drilled into the top-left corner, a near-impossible save for any goalkeeper. That was how Palestinian forward Oday Dabbagh executed one of the most high-pressure scenarios of his career to date, helping his Aberdeen side to a shootout victory over Celtic in the Scottish Cup final. This was the first time in 35 years that Aberdeen had lifted the Scottish Cup, and for Dabbagh the victory was a moment of instant, undiluted joy. The sight of his penalty flying into the back of the goal, he says, is one that will 'stay with me forever.' A month earlier, Dabbagh had played an even more crucial role in Aberdeen's Scottish Cup campaign, prodding in a goal against Hearts during the final minutes of extra-time. Despite only being at the club for a four-month period, on loan from Belgian side Charleroi, the 26-year-old had quickly earned legendary status. 'It's a big one for me,' Dabbagh told CNN Sports, 'and the excitement and atmosphere here in Scotland is an unforgettable feeling. It means a lot … and at the same time, it motivates me even more for what's next.' As for what comes next in Dabbagh's club career – after his loan spell with Aberdeen ended on a spectacular high, he is set to return to Charleroi, with his current contract reportedly running until 2026. But at the forefront of his mind right now will be the Palestinian national team's attempt to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico. Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 75% of all United Nations members, but it is a non-member observer state of the UN General Assembly as the United States has consistently blocked full UN membership. As a soccer team though, Palestine has been recognized by the sport's world governing body FIFA since 1998. Despite three Asian Cup appearances since then, the national team is yet to qualify for a World Cup, but the current players, including top-scorer Dabbagh, now have a chance to make history. Up next for the Palestinian national team are two crunch World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Kuwait. Currently fifth in its qualifying group, the team needs to finish third or fourth to enter the fourth round of qualifying. The odds of leapfrogging above Oman in the group are long, but the team will be well supported by those back home. For the people of Gaza, seeing its soccer team qualify for the World Cup would be a beacon of light in an otherwise harrowing period of war and bloodshed. In March, the Palestine Football Association told CNN Sports that 408 athletes have been killed in the conflict with Israel – players, officials and the majority children, including 270 soccer players. Susan Shalabi, vice president of the Palestine FA, said at the time that the organization's offices in Gaza have been either destroyed or severely damaged, and what remains is now being used to accommodate families who have lost their homes. As for home games, they have been switched to locations all over the world – Jordan, Qatar, and even Malaysia. 'In spite of the genocide our people are subjected to in Gaza,' Shalabi told CNN Sports in March, 'the will to live as a nation remains. The national team has become a symbol of our national aspirations, of the longing to live in peace like other nations under the sun.' Dabbagh is a crucial player in the Palestinian national team's bid to qualify for the World Cup. The all-time top scorer with 16 goals, including a hat-trick against Bangladesh in the first round of qualifying last year, he embraces every opportunity to represent the Lions of Canaan, long dreaming of doing so on the biggest stage. 'It's one of the greatest honors in my life,' he says to CNN. 'To wear the Palestine shirt, knowing what it means to so many people, my family, my team, and myself … it is powerful.' Dabbagh is reluctant to see himself as a trailblazer, despite being the first home-grown Palestinian player to appear in a major European league – first with Arouca in Portugal before moving to Charleroi in 2023. 'I do hope what I can achieve helps make the path a little clearer for others,' he says. 'I know how much football means to everyone back home, and I don't take that lightly. Everyone has a dream. If a kid back home sees me and starts to believe it's possible, that means everything. And I do carry that with me every time I play.' Dabbagh made his professional debut for Hilal Al-Quds in the West Bank Premier League, aged only 16. He went on to win three league titles before representing a series of teams in Kuwait, winning another title with Al-Arabi in 2021. Moves to Portugal, Belgium, and then Scotland followed – an unprecedented career arc for a player who grew up kicking a ball on the streets of Jerusalem. He hopes to send a clear message to other young boys and girls now in the same situation he once was. 'Never stop believing,' says Dabbagh. 'Work hard, stay focused, and never lose your passion. You belong on the world stage.' Dabbagh and his teammates could be on the biggest stage of them all should the Palestinian national team qualify for the World Cup. For the forward, that would surely be the high point in an unlikely and trophy-laden career. CNN's Don Riddell contributed to reporting.
Press and Journal
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin reveals when he will inform players of contract decisions
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin confirmed he will make decisions on players' futures in the week between the league ending and the Scottish Cup final. The future for a number of players is up in the air with contracts set to expire at the end of the season and the Dons having an option to buy on some loan deals. Aberdeen's final league game of the season is against Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday, May 17. They then face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday, May 24 at Hampden. Thelin will deliver clarity to players on their future during the week before the final in a bid to be 'fair to everyone involved'. Full-back Jack MacKenzie and keepers Ross Doohan and Tom Ritchie are all out of contract at the end of the season. Aberdeen were in talks with MacKenzie regarding a new contract but there has been no resolution. The Dons have right to buy options on loan players Oday Dabbagh and Jeppe Okkels who were both secured in the January transfer window. Belgian club Charleroi recently triggered a clause to extend striker Dabbagh's contract. Dabbagh's deal was set to expire this summer but Charleroi have extended that to the summer of 2026. Palestine international Dabbagh has scored four goals during his loan spell. The 26-year-old netted the winner in the 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final triumph against Hearts. Winger Okkels is on loan from English Championship club Preston North End. It is understood Preston would look for a £1million fee for Okkels in the summer. Thelin said: 'There is work going on but we also respect that it's big decisions for everyone to take regarding their future. 'We're going to talk about that after the league is played when we have a week before the Scottish Cup final. 'That's when we will focus on the squad and what's going to happen with the players. 'Because we have to be fair to everyone involved. 'Right now we are focusing on this interesting period in the league, then let's see what happens.' Aberdeen will bid to maintain the momentum in their fight to finish third in the Premiership when facing St Mirren away on Saturday. Winger Shayden Morris will go into the clash in Paisley on a high having scooped the player of the year gong at the club's awards ceremony on Thursday. Morris struggled to get game time last season under Barry Robson and then interim boss Neil Warnock. The 23-year-old winger has reignited his Pittodrie career under Thelin's guidance. Thelin said: 'I see how much effort Shayden puts in as part of his journey. 'Sometimes he was struggling but he came back even stronger and that is his mentality. 'That's the thing of a footballer as a career is never straightforward. 'Hopefully the trend line for Shayden will continue to be higher and higher. 'He wants to improve and learn even more and is talking when we have meetings. 'He's also a nice character and it was great to see him with all the emotions he showed when receiving his prize. 'We are all really happy for him.' Aberdeen are in the midst of a resurgence in form having lost only once in 12 games in all competitions, to Celtic. To maintain the recent form the Reds must end a win drought in Paisley stretching back seven years. Aberdeen are winless in their last nine league visits to St Mirren having drawn three and lost six. The Reds' last won in Paisley in December 2018 (2-1) under Derek McInnes. St Mirren have also won both of their last two matches against Aberdeen. The Paisley club last won three in a row against the Reds in July 2011. Thelin said: 'The team is really ready for this game and we know what we have to do. 'We have to try everything we can to take the points and then go to the next game and do it again. 'We try to be better because we want to bring a higher level of performance all the time. 'Everybody knows what is in front of us and what we need to do. 'Of course we have an opponent on the other side and St Mirren are confident and have skills. 'To be a top team we have to take points in a lot of grounds during the season. 'I think the team is ready for taking these steps in the last games.'
Press and Journal
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin reveals summer transfer window assessment plan
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin will conduct a major assessment of his debut campaign in a bid to devise a plan to finish even higher in the Premiership next season. The Dons are in the fight to finish third in the league and have reached the Scottish Cup final where they face Celtic on May 24. Thelin is fully focused on the bid to secure third, deliver European qualification and lift the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1990. However, even if the Dons secure third and silverware glory, the Swede will not be content. Thelin is determined to propel Aberdeen to a higher level still and will look at ways to achieve that during the summer. That will include transfer business in the summer with the Dons moving early by agreeing a deal to sign Australian winger Nicolas Milanovic. The 23-year-old will join Aberdeen in the summer for a fee of around £400,000 from A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers. Thelin will also assess other factors such as training in a bid to finish higher in the league next season – even if the Dons secure a third-placed finish. The Pittodrie gaffer said: 'At the end of the season we will analyse things. 'That will be looking at now we are on this level, what do we need for next season to improve. 'To deserve to be higher in the table. 'Do we change the squad, do we train more, do we train differently? 'All those types of things. 'However, for now all the focus is on the games before the end of the season and trying to win them.' Aberdeen boss Thelin faces a number of dilemmas over the future of players at the end of the season. The Dons have the option to buy on Oday Dabbagh and Jeppe Okkels who are both currently at Pittodrie on loan. Palestinian international Dabbagh recently signed a contract extension with parent club Charleroi. The striker's contract with Charleroi was set to expire in the summer. However, the Belgium club triggered a clause to take that deal up to the summer of 2026. Dabbagh has scored four goals in 11 games since arriving on loan on deadline day of the January transfer window. The 26-year-old scored the late winner in the 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final win against Hearts at Hampden. It is understood Preston North End would want a fee of £1million for Okkels in the summer. Okkels, who played under Thelin at Swedish top flight Elfsborg, has played 15 games for the Dons, with 10 starts. Leading goalscorer Kevin Nisbet's loan from Millwall also expires at the end of the season. Thelin has previously admitted he would be keen to have Nisbet at Pittodrie next season. However, it is understood Millwall would look for a seven-figure fee if they were to sell the Scotland international in the summer. That would be to recoup some of the £2m paid to Hibs for Nisbet in summer 2023. Full-back Jack MacKenzie and keeper Ross Doohan are also out of contract with Aberdeen at the end of the season. For now though, Thelin is focused on the bid to end his first season at Pittodrie on a high. Aberdeen, who are level on points with third-placed Hibs, travel to St Mirren on Saturday. Thelin said: 'It is so tight in the league table. 'There are not so many points to play for as there are only four games left so we have to be really focused. 'They are going to be tight games so we have to be sharp in every game. 'We also have to be better away from home so there are things to improve.'
BBC News
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dabbagh unsure of future despite Dons clause
Oday Dabbagh, who scored the winning goal in Saturday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Heart of Midlothian, has admitted there is a chance the final will be his last game as an Aberdeen player, with the on-loan 26-year-old forward from Charleroi leaving his future to his agent. (Daily Record), externalOday Dabbagh says he has yet to consider the possibility of a long-term stay with Aberdeen, who hold the option to sign him permanent this summer from Charleroi, for whom the Palestinian forward has signed a new contract until 2026. (Press & Journal), externalRead Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.
The Herald Scotland
21-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Oday Dabbagh on making Palestine proud and his Aberdeen future
Still, the 45-times capped 26-year-old, who netted the winner in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden on Saturday afternoon with two minutes of extra-time remaining, also appreciates that his compatriots are heartened whenever he does well. The man who helped Palestine to record a historic 2-1 win over Iraq in Jordan last month to keep their hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer alive knows from personal experience that sporting success can lift spirits. So the Charleroi loanee had many reasons to be satisfied with his opportunist late strike in Mount Florida at the weekend. Read more: 'I was very, very happy to score the winning goal and to be in the final,' he said. 'It was a really incredible feeling. I was so, so glad. To be honest it was maybe one of the most special goals I've scored in my career. It's a very good moment. 'The atmosphere was so nice. The fans, they deserve everything for supporting us the way they do. So, yeah, they deserve everything. I was very happy for everyone supporting me from here and from Palestine.' Dabbagh, who has now scored four times in nine appearances since moving to this country back in February, will continue to focus on pleasing others during the remaining weeks of the 2024/25 campaign. Aberdeen have an option to sign a man who has previously played in Kuwait, Portugal and Switzerland, whose parent club extended his contract until 2026 this month so they can bank a transfer fee, permanently in the summer if they are prepared to meet his asking price. However, the player is going to concentrate on helping Jimmy Thelin's men, who take on Hibernian in the William Hill Premiership at home on Saturday, finish as high up the top flight table as possible in the weeks ahead and put discussions about his future on hold until after the Scottish Cup final. (Image: PA Wire) 'To be honest, we are looking forward and focusing on the Hibs game,' he said. 'We have a really big and important game so first we focus on the league then we will see about the cup. 'For me, it's a big push for us to go in against Hibs. It's a really big game also so it's a good motivation for us. Now we've finished the first step so we're looking forward for the other steps in the league. We'll just now focus about the league, especially about Hibs. So we will look game by game. 'I don't think a lot about the loan. I just came here to enjoy the football, to enjoy the moment with the fans, with everyone here. That's what I'm doing and we'll see at the end of the season what happens. When I came here I said I was coming to help the team as much as I could and that's what I'm doing now. 'Yes, they (Aberdeen) have an option. But I'm just focused to score and to do my job and we'll see at the end of the year. It's not my job, you know. I have my agent, he works, and they have other things to do. I'm just focused on the football, to be focused inside the pitch, and that's it.' Asked if the Scottish Cup final could be his last game for Aberdeen, Dabbagh said, 'Maybe yes, maybe no.' Read more: Dabbagh has been grateful to his team mates for helping him to settle in Aberdeen and revealed how they were instrumental in him grabbing a dramatic winner in a tense last four encounter with Hearts on Saturday which appeared destined to go to penalties. 'I had a shot in the first period of extra time and their keeper pulled off a really good save,' he said. 'My team mates came to me and said, 'Just keep going, it will come'. And sure enough it came, I scored. 'To be honest, we have to keep going every time. It's not just about my work, it's about teamwork. We are like a real family. All of my team mates are very nice. They helped me to be in the team very fast. Without my team mates, I cannot have this chance to score. We are a team. We play as a team, we win as a team and we lose as a team.' (Image: SNS) Dabbagh has lifted trophies in Palestine and Kuwait in the past and would dearly like to lay his hands on silverware in Europe by helping Aberdeen to end their 35 year wait to lift the Scottish Cup on May 24. 'To be honest, I don't know a lot about the history of the club, but I had it explained to me,' he said. 'The Dons supporters, they deserve this cup, so we'll give it everything. Until now, everything has gone well. I hope to continue like this until the end of the season.' Aberdeen will have to perform far better than they did against Hearts to prevail on their next visit to Hampden. The Tynecastle club went down to 10 men just before half-time and were reduced to nine players towards the end of extra-time. But they very nearly forced spot kicks. At no stage did Graeme Shinnie and his team mates look like falling behind or losing. However, they struggled to break down rivals who defended in numbers and sought to attack on the counter. They very much remain a work in progress and more signings will need to be made by Thelin in the summer. But with a predator as clinical as Dabbagh at their disposal they can certainly give their fans, and supporters looking on from Palestine, a day to savour.
