Palestine’s coach hails facet as ‘my champions’ after slender 2-1 defeat to hosts and defending champions Qatar.
Al Khor, Qatar – In a match that noticed two “home” groups face off at Al Bayt Stadium with big help for the guests, it was the shape and the expertise of hosts Qatar that helped them see off a spirited show from Palestine and ebook a spot within the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup 2023 with a 2-1 win.
The defending champions went into the round-of-16 fixture on Monday underneath the load of expectations of a passionate dwelling crowd and on the again of a powerful show within the group stage.
Nevertheless, it was Palestine – taking part in of their first ever Asian Cup knockout match – who obtained off the blocks with wind of their sails and put early stress on Qatar.
Enjoying of their white away package, the guests took benefit of a comparatively sluggish Qatari begin and launched waves of assaults on the Qatari purpose.
As compared, Qatar’s motion contained in the Palestinian field was restricted – a plan by Palestine coach Makram Daboub that was executed to close perfection by his gamers.
“My players gave it everything they could and didn’t give them much space in the beginning,” Daboub stated in his post-match press convention.
Palestine’s stress and strikes paid off within the thirty seventh minute when Oday Dabbagh scored a beautiful solo purpose and joined his teammates of their signature “victory” celebration – crossing their arms and making the v signal with their fingers.
For a staff that was swept away 4-1 by Iran of their opening recreation two weeks in the past, the Fedayeen had come a protracted strategy to put one of many match favourites underneath stress.
Nevertheless, their defence couldn’t do a lot to cease the house facet’s captain, Hassan Al Haydos, from scoring an equaliser within the sixth minute of added time.
The response from the house crowd was a loud expression of aid and pleasure.
Akram Afif, a crowd favorite and the match’s main purpose scorer, turned the match on its head 4 minutes into the second half with a wonderfully slotted penalty.
For the remainder of the match, Palestine tried to create possibilities, however none of them bore fruit.
The bodily fatigue of travelling to numerous international locations to coach, the psychological pressure of the struggle again dwelling and the emotional stress of desirous to deliver pleasure to their folks was an excessive amount of for Daboub’s males.
“They have been through a difficult time but were still willing to put on a good show for all Palestinians,” Daboub stated.
“I couldn’t have asked for more from them. They have honoured Palestinian football and the people of Palestine. They are my champions.”
Their followers, who turned up on the venue of their 1000’s to help them one final time, stated the staff had already carried out “more than enough” to deliver pleasure to the folks in Gaza, who’ve endured practically 4 months of struggle.
“Even if they hadn’t won any matches or scored any goals, we would have been proud of them,” Samar Ustaz, a Palestinian resident of Qatar, informed Al Jazeera after the match.
“We have shown that nothing can break our spirit. Even when we are pushed to the brink, we stand up and fight back.”
Yousef Ayman, one other Palestine fan with household in Haifa, stated every thing the gamers confirmed was the embodiment of the Palestinian spirit.
“We can stand tall in the face of every challenge,” he stated.
As soon as the match was over, the Palestinian staff took a number of moments to soak within the environment, course of their feelings after which walked as much as their followers to applaud their help.
From their first match towards Iran two weeks in the past by their draw towards the United Arab Emirates, an emotional win over Hong Kong and their first knockout match within the match’s historical past, the Palestinian flag was waved in its 1000’s, and the chants calling for Palestine’s freedom have been heard loud and clear.