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Chabab Baalbeck, newly promoted to the First Division of the Lebanese Football Championship, are aiming for a top-six finish while keeping their feet firmly on the ground.
This is Beirut caught up with goalkeeping coach Mohammed Choker to find out more about his career and his aspirations for the team this season. “I’ve always had great ambition in football, but I left the game early on because of my experiences with certain coaches. That pushed me towards coaching. I played for clubs such as Al-Mabarra, Al-Akhaa, Ansar and Al-Nabi Chit, before turning to beach football, where I won the best Arab goalkeeper award and took part in the Club World Cup. I want to pass on what I didn’t get,” he explains. “I’m convinced that Chabab Baalbeck’s squad is complete and ready to compete with the best. However, our objective for this first season is modest, and our ambition is to finish in the top six,” he adds cautiously.
A Team Under Construction, a Mentality to Be Strengthened
With two talented goalkeepers, Ali el-Hajj Hassan of Racing and Youssef al-Jashi of Ikhwan Aley, Choker insists on the importance of a strong mentality. “Training has two facets: what the coach can offer and the latest development techniques. But the essential quality of a goalkeeper is a strong heart and boldness on the pitch.”
For him, the distinction between the divisions is less marked than you might think. “The second division is often more difficult, while in the first, the technical aspects are a little more developed, as is the media attention.”
Choker is convinced that Baalbeck deserve to play at home, supported by their fans, and that the Bekaa climate can also work in their favor. “We’re looking to make Baalbeck’s name shine in the league. Personally, I want to achieve something through the performances of the goalkeepers, as this represents a personal challenge for me,” he concludes with determination.
