Embattled Arab-Israeli soccer star turns into national hero

Abas Suan will not be in uniform when Israel faces France in a key World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, but the 29-year-old striker is still on top of the world.

He is savoring a last-minute goal that transformed him from embattled Arab-Israeli into a national hero.

On Saturday, Suan went on as a late substitute with Israel trailing Ireland 1-0 before 44,000 nervous spectators at National Stadium in Tel Aviv. He quickly picked up a foul, his second in the tournament. That resulted in an automatic suspension for the next World Cup qualifier.

Then, with five seconds remaining, he blasted a 25-meter drive past sprawled Irish goalkeeper Shay Given and into the back of the net.

The equalizer kept alive Israel's improbable chances of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals in Germany for the first time since 1970.

It also turned Suan into a national hero, a droll distinction for a man who only six weeks earlier was booed almost every time he touched the ball during a friendly game in intensely nationalistic Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, Suan told The Associated Press he was ready to put the incident behind him.

"I only think the best of Israel, never the worst," he said.

A native of Sakhnin, an Arab town in the northern part of the country, Suan said he was proud to sing the national anthem at Saturday's game - a stance that puts him at odds with many of his fellow Arab-Israelis.

"I respect Israel," he said. "I only hope that Israelis will respect Arabs."

Comprising about 20 percent of Israel's population of 6.8 million, Arab-Israelis have been discriminated against in jobs, educational opportunities, and housing since Israel's founding in 1948.

They have representation in parliament, but many Jews regard them with suspicion, more loyal to a prospective Palestinian state than to Israel itself.

Suan says he recognizes the problem but revels in his role as a man comfortable in both communities.

His goal, he says, was particularly sweet because it helped to bridge the gap.

"I am the happiest man in this country, because now Jews and Arabs have something to agree on," he said.