With an eye on the Asian Cup, Jaka Ihbeisheh switches teams

Last month, Jaka Ihbeisheh joined former club NK Krka. This week, the Palestinian international is on the move again.

Ihbeisheh had spent 2017 with Qatar Gas League Al-Shammal and then moved to Thailand with Police Tero in the Thai top flight. He was due to bolster Hilal Al-Quds’s ranks during the winter transfer window but the move fell through.

To keep fit, Ihbeisheh joined SV Stegersbach- a semi-pro side in the Austrian fourth tier. Earlier this summer he agreed terms with NK Krka with the stipulation that he be able to play for Palestine when called up.

Unlike the first tier of Slovenian football, the second division does not stop play during the international break.

“When I signed for NK Krka last month they knew I was going to leave for the Asian Cup in January if called up. They also knew there were three international breaks remaining in 2018. When I was called up,  [for upcoming friendlies against Kyrgyz Republic and Qatar] they told me to turn down the call. For me, Palestine is my number one priority- so I decided to cancel my contract” Ihbeisheh told Football Palestine. 

Ihbeisheh had started NK Krka’s first three matches of the season- registering one assist. Over the course of his career, Ihbeisheh has played 142 matches in the Slovenian top tier- scoring 11 goals.

Ihbeisheh’s focus will now be to help his new side NK Bravo gain promotion and parlay that into a spot in Palestine’s Asian Cup squad.