JERUSALEM (Reuters) -- Israeli Arab Abbas Suan is a national hero after his stunning last minute goal earned them a 1-1 draw with Ireland in their World Cup qualifier in Tel Aviv on Saturday.
"Abbas fights for equality" read the main headline in the sports section of Israel's biggest newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth.
Abbas said it was was sweet revenge against the racist taunts he has suffered in the past. "This is the greatest moment of my life," he added.
"It is the answer to all those who cursed me at Teddy (stadium in Jerusalem) last month," Suan told the Maariv newspaper on Sunday, which hailed him as a "Hero of Israel" for his equalizer in the Group Four match.
Suan plays for Bnei Sakhnin, the only Arab club in Israel's Premier League, and was the target of anti-Arab taunts by home fans during a friendly international between Israel and Croatia in February.
Israel's football bosses denounced the insults, which came from supporters wearing the colours of Betar Jerusalem, a set of fans known for voicing anti-Arab sentiments.
But Israeli fans in the national stadium in Tel Aviv erupted in cheers on Saturday when Suan, who came on as a substitute in the 74th minute, fired home a powerful, low drive from 20 meters with seconds of normal time remaining.
Israeli Arabs, who make up about a fifth of the population of the Jewish state, have long complained of prejudice and a shortage of government funds for their towns, schools and institutions.
Israeli officials say Arabs are active in parliament and deny any policy of discrimination.
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