Palestine ‘fulfil promise’ after historic Asian Cup win
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Palestine’s victory came against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
PHOTO: AFP
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DOHA – Palestine’s captain said that his team had fulfilled “a promise to the Palestinian people” after reaching the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time on Jan 23.
The 3-0 victory over Hong Kong, also their first win in the history of the competition, was enough to send them into the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Oday Dabbagh was the hero in Doha with two goals and at the final whistle, Palestinian players and staff celebrated on the pitch, hugging and waving flags.
The United Arab Emirates advanced in second place in Group C, despite losing 2-1 to group winners and three-time champions Iran.
Palestine’s victory came against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, with players and staff having lost loved ones in the conflict.
Captain Mus’ab Al Battat said his men had made good on their promise to the Palestinian people.
“I would like to thank all those who supported us,” he said. “We managed to put a smile on the faces of those who follow us... inside or outside Palestine.
“We wanted to deliver a message to the world that we have a right to participate in every major football tournament, and not just for the sake of participation, but to show our skills. We deserve to be here.”
A pre-match moment’s silence was overrun by shouts of “Free Palestine”.
A pre-match moment’s silence was overrun by shouts of “Free Palestine”.
PHOTO: AFP
No side had played more Asian Cup matches without a win than Hong Kong (12 games) or Palestine (eight), but victory would offer either side a chance of making the last 16.
In the 12th minute, Palestine scored when Al Battat made an overlapping run from right-back and launched a cross into the box, which Dabbagh headed into the net.
But Hong Kong started creating chances as the half wore on, with Philip Chan and Everton Camargo blazing over.
Throughout the game, the 6,568 people inside the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium were almost entirely supporting Palestine, like at most grounds during the team’s campaign.
Minutes into the second half, Palestine doubled their lead, Al Battat again the provider from the right wing, this time Zaid Qunbar taking up the generous invitation to score.
Palestine got a third after the hour, Tamer Seyam’s long-range effort hitting the bar and falling to Dabbagh, who tapped in his second of the match.
Throughout the game, the 6,568 people inside the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium were almost entirely supporting Palestine.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Coach Makram Daboub said his Palestine players “knew this match was decisive... especially concerning the current circumstances that Palestine is going through”.
Looking ahead to the next round, he said he was realistic about the challenge, but noted that his team were “very confident in our ability and everything is possible in the second round”.
Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen rued his team’s inability to get a goal in the game’s opening stages, which might have changed the complexion of the contest.
“That’s the difference between us and the better teams before us, because they have the quality to make a goal out of nothing,” he said. AFP
