Last Updated: January 24, 2024, 08:10 IST
Palestine’s victory got here towards the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas battle. (AP Photo)
Palestine’s 3-0 victory over Hong Kong was additionally their first win within the historical past of the competitors and sufficient to squeeze into the final 16 as one of many 4 finest third-placed groups.
Palestine’s captain stated his group had fulfilled “a promise to the Palestinian people” after reaching the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the primary time on Tuesday.
The 3-0 victory over Hong Kong was additionally their first win within the historical past of the competitors and sufficient to squeeze into the final 16 as one of many 4 finest third-placed groups.
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Oday Dabbagh was the hero in Doha with two objectives and on the last whistle Palestine’s gamers and workers celebrated on the pitch, hugging and waving flags.
The United Arab Emirates went via in second place in Group C regardless of shedding 2-1 to group winners Iran.
Palestine’s victory got here towards the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas battle within the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Players and workers have misplaced family members within the battle.
Captain Musab Al-Battat stated that his males had made good on “a promise we made to the Palestinian people”.
“I would like to thank all those who supported us,” he stated.
“We managed to put a smile on the faces of those who follow us… inside or outside Palestine.”
A pre-match second’s silence was overrun by shouts of “Free Palestine”.
No facet had performed extra Asian Cup matches and not using a win than Hong Kong (12 video games) or Palestine (eight), however victory would supply both facet an opportunity of creating the final 16.
In the twelfth minute Palestine scored when Battat made an overlapping run from right-back and launched a cross into the field which Dabbagh headed into the online.
Heading over to their followers to rejoice, the gamers raised their arms to make V-signs.
Hong Kong have been dealt a blow when centre-back and match-day captain Vas Nunez sustained an arm damage and had to get replaced by Li Ngai-hoi.
But the group ranked 150 on the earth began creating probabilities because the half wore on, Philip Chan and Everton Camargo blazing over.
‘Everything is possible’
Throughout the sport the 6,568 individuals contained in the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium have been virtually totally supporting Palestine, like at most grounds throughout the group’s marketing campaign.
But a dense and boisterous bloc of red-clad Hong Kong followers offered an never-ending beat of encouragement for the minnows from southern China.
Minutes into the second half Palestine doubled their lead, Battat once more the supplier from the correct wing, this time Zeid Qunbar taking him up on a beneficiant invitation to attain.
Palestine bought a 3rd after the hour, Tamer Seyam’s long-range effort hitting the bar and falling to Dabbagh, who tapped in his second of the match.
They got a scare throughout the eighth minute of added time when referee Shaun Evans awarded Hong Kong a penalty after a VAR overview for a handball by Battat.
But Everton’s spot-kick thudded towards the bar as Hong Kong headed dwelling, overwhelmed however proud.
Winning coach Makram Daboub stated his group “knew this match was decisive… especially concerning the current circumstances that Palestine is going through”.
Looking forward to the following spherical he stated he was real looking in regards to the problem, however that his group was “very confident in our ability and everything is possible in the second round”.
Hong Kong coach Jorn Andersen rued his group’s incapability to get a aim within the recreation’s opening levels, which could have modified the complexion of the competition.
“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 stated.
“We can try and get better. We need it for the future.”
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed – AFP)
Feroz KhanFeroz Khan has been overlaying sports activities for over 12 years now and is at present working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He launched into his journ…Read More
Source: www.news18.com
