TIGRE, ARGENTINA (JTA) — For the primary time in practically six many years, a Jewish soccer membership is competing in an Argentine nationwide soccer match.
The membership, Náutico Hacoaj used its victory within the first spherical of competitors to pay tribute to Israel.
The workforce represents the outstanding Hacoaj (“power” in Hebrew) Jewish group heart and sport membership in Tigre, a metropolis within the north of the Buenos Aires province. Argentine tennis star Diego Schwartzman received his begin at Hocoaj, which named its tennis complicated after him in 2021.
Náutico Hacoaj is the primary Jewish membership to compete within the 14-team Beginner Promotional Event for the reason that workforce from Buenos Aires’ Organización Hebrea Macabi was the undefeated champion in 1967. The match, which is skilled regardless of its title, is a part of the bottom tier of Argentina’s nationwide soccer affiliation.
“Hacoaj is proud to symbolize the Argentine Jewish group on this match,” Sebastián Salmun, Hacoaj’s soccer secretary, advised the Jewish Telegraphic Company. “It’s also another alternative to make our place clear: defend Israel each minute, demand justice and the discharge of all these kidnapped by terrorism.”
Hacoaj gained its first match match Feb. 25, beating Atlético Pilar 3-2. After the victory, Hacoaj’s gamers posed with a banner displaying Oct. 7, the date of Hamas’ shock assault on Israel, and the message “No olvidamos. Am Israel Jai,” Spanish for, “We don’t neglect. The Jewish individuals reside.”
Hacaoj’s victory was lined by ESPN
An ESPN Instagram account highlighted Hacaoj’s win, touting the victory as a “historic” second in Argentinian soccer. The put up additionally referenced the Jewish significance of Hacoaj’s look within the match.
Ariel Brunfman, a Hacoaj participant who was amongst JTA’s 36 Jewish pupil athletes to look at this 12 months, scored the workforce’s essential third aim.
“It was an vital match for everybody — for the gamers, but in addition for the Jewish group,” Brunfman advised JTA. “Beginning with a win is essential and a motivation to have match. I believe this can be a nice group of individuals and individually, I’m very pleased with the aim. I can’t wait to rejoice different targets at dwelling with our individuals.”
Hacoaj’s subsequent match is Sunday at its dwelling stadium, named for the late Israeli Prime Minister and President Shimon Peres, towards Estrella de Berisso.
