As coach Jamal Hajj sits in a café in south Beirut his enthusiasm for football shows no bounds. The short, stocky former midfielder grins constantly as he discusses preparations for the new season with his team, al-Ahed.

For him, getting back on the pitch will be a key part of returning to normality after the war between Israel and Hizbollah. And the Shia militant group will be watching closely - al-Ahed, two-time cup winners, is Hizbollah's team.