Doha, Qatar – Palestine began their final group match of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 with their hopes of qualifying for the following spherical hanging by a thread, however ended it with an emphatic 3-0 win over Hong Kong and by sealing a last-16 spot.
The compact Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium became a Palestinian den on Tuesday evening because the Fedayeen roared into the knockout stage of the event.
When the final two video games of group C received beneath method at 6pm, Palestine had been trailing Iran, who had sealed their spot as group leaders, and second-placed United Arab Emirates (UAE) on factors and objective distinction.
Palestine’s supporters had been hopeful however not fully assured of securing a end result that may carry them in rivalry for a last-16 spot. At full-time, they had been in a state of disbelief at how their group turned their fortunes round.
Some, like Linah al-Fatah, had religion of their group.
“It says quite a bit about our willpower, self-belief and religion in God [as Palestinian people] that we now have bounced again within the event on this method,” she informed Al Jazeera after the match.
Based on Palestine’s captain Musab Al-Battat, it was a efficiency that confirmed the world that his group is among the many greatest within the continent.
“We needed to ship a message to the world that we now have a proper to take part in each main soccer event, and never only for the sake of participation, however to point out our expertise,” Al-Battats assist in his passionate post-match information convention.
“We should be right here.”
PALESTINE 🇵🇸 is within the #AsianCup2023 Spherical of 16
Their first ever win within the AFC Asian Cup secures them a spot within the subsequent spherical #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/Thn5ioVGPN
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) January 23, 2024
The captain stated his group got here into the event with a “clear goal” of placing a smile on the faces of their supporters.
The supporters, in flip, helped the gamers choose themselves up after a crushing defeat of their opening match towards Iran 9 days in the past.
Their second match, towards the UAE, noticed an improved efficiency that was vociferously backed by a partisan crowd.
Final week’s 1-1 draw towards their regional rivals was the stepping stone of their progress and the win towards Hong Kong sealed their repute as a group that can not be brushed apart.
For his or her half, Hong Kong started the match brightly as their group of 500 travelling supporters made their presence felt from the one stand that they occupied.
Wearing pink and carrying their banners from all the way in which again house, the followers arrived and settled in lengthy earlier than kickoff and earlier than the native Palestinian supporters took their seats.
Nevertheless, as soon as the match kicked off it was clear that their group was beneath stress.
FT | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, China 0️⃣-3️⃣ Palestine 🇵🇸
Palestine produce a outstanding efficiency and guide their place within the Spherical of 16!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #HKGvPLE pic.twitter.com/2NVO5B4Vjj
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2024
Palestine relentlessly attacked the Hong Kong objective with a powerful ahead line, and reaped the reward with three objectives.
Each Palestinian assault was backed with a crescendo of noise.
Totally different teams of Palestinian followers took turns in chanting pro-Palestine slogans and calling for freedom.
Their captain, Al-Battat, acknowledged the assist after the match.
“The hundreds of followers in Qatar and the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians world wide are our primary motivation,” he stated with a steely look.
His group are practically sure to face hosts, holders and favourites Qatar of their round-of-16 tie.
The prospect could also be daunting but when there’s one factor Palestine have proven within the 12 days of this event and the 109 days of the conflict in Gaza, they won’t hand over with out a combat.
“We now have confronted each problem with willpower and we’re not going to cease now.”
For his or her Gaza-born defender Mahmoud Saleh, the full-time whistle introduced a gush of feelings.
The quantity 5 fell to the bottom and buried his face within the grass as he cried uncontrollably. When he was lastly pulled up on his toes by his teammates, Saleh pulled his shirt over his face as he sobbed.
Saleh is without doubt one of the few gamers from Gaza who’re half of the present squad, and has spoken of the difficulties of enjoying and coaching whereas not with the ability to hear about his household’s security amid the conflict.
The win provides Saleh, Al-Battat and their teammates one other likelihood of making certain the Palestinian anthem is performed within the stadium, the Palestinian flag is waved by hundreds and the Palestinian spirit is displayed for the world to see.
