Doha (AFP) – Palestine reached the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time after beating Hong Kong 3-0 on Tuesday for their maiden win in the history of the competition.
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
Oday Dabbagh scored twice for Palestine against Hong Kong
© Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
They just missed out on second spot in Group C but advance as one of the four best third-placed teams, with Oday Dabbagh the hero for his two goals.
United Arab Emirates went through in second place despite losing 2-1 to group winners Iran.
The historic victory in Doha comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
"Thank you to the fans who are coming to support Palestine and the national team of Palestine. Thank you from our heart," captain Musab Al-Battat told beIN SPORTS after the game.
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"We will do our best to put a smile for the people."
Palestinian players and staff have lost loved ones in the conflict and said before the tournament that they hoped to provide some comfort to those suffering back home.
A pre-match moment's silence was overrun by shouts of "Free Palestine".
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 their first goal on the way to breaking that duck.
Battat made an overlapping run from right-back and launched a cross into the box which Dabbagh headed into the net.
Hong Kong were dealt a blow when centre-back and match-day captain Vas Nunez sustained an arm injury and had to be replaced by Li Ngai-hoi.
But they started creating chances as the half wore on, 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.
But a dense and boisterous red-clad bloc of Hong Kong fans provided an unending beat of encouragement for the 150th-ranked side from southern China.
Minutes into the second half Palestine doubled their lead, Battat again the provider from the right wing, this time Zeid Qunbar taking him up on a 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.
They were given a scare during the eighth minute of added time when referee Shaun Evans awarded Hong Kong a penalty after a VAR review for a handball by Battat.
But Everton's spot-kick thudded against the bar as Hong Kong headed home.
© 2024 AFP
They just missed out on second spot in Group C but advance as one of the four best third-placed teams, with Oday Dabbagh the hero for his two goals.
United Arab Emirates went through in second place despite losing 2-1 to group winners Iran.
The historic victory in Doha comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
"Thank you to the fans who are coming to support Palestine and the national team of Palestine. Thank you from our heart," captain Musab Al-Battat told beIN SPORTS after the game.
ADVERTISING
"We will do our best to put a smile for the people."
Palestinian players and staff have lost loved ones in the conflict and said before the tournament that they hoped to provide some comfort to those suffering back home.
A pre-match moment's silence was overrun by shouts of "Free Palestine".
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 their first goal on the way to breaking that duck.
Battat made an overlapping run from right-back and launched a cross into the box which Dabbagh headed into the net.
Hong Kong were dealt a blow when centre-back and match-day captain Vas Nunez sustained an arm injury and had to be replaced by Li Ngai-hoi.
But they started creating chances as the half wore on, 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.
But a dense and boisterous red-clad bloc of Hong Kong fans provided an unending beat of encouragement for the 150th-ranked side from southern China.
Minutes into the second half Palestine doubled their lead, Battat again the provider from the right wing, this time Zeid Qunbar taking him up on a 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.
They were given a scare during the eighth minute of added time when referee Shaun Evans awarded Hong Kong a penalty after a VAR review for a handball by Battat.
But Everton's spot-kick thudded against the bar as Hong Kong headed home.
© 2024 AFP
Palestine reach Asian Cup last 16 for first time as China go out
Doha (AFP) – Palestine reached the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time on Tuesday with their maiden win in the history of the competition, but China's fate was sealed at the first hurdle.
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
Palestine's forward Mahmoud Wadi and midfielder Oday Kharoub celebrate
© Giuseppe CACACE / AFP
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Syria also made history by reaching the last 16 in Qatar, with Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates advancing as well on another night of high drama.
Palestine narrowly missed out on second spot in Group C but squeezed through as one of the four best third-placed teams after beating Hong Kong 3-0.
The victory in Doha comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Palestinian players and staff have lost loved ones in the conflict and said before the tournament that they hoped to provide some comfort to those suffering back hom
Oday Dabbagh scored once in each half and Zeid Qunbar grabbed another before Palestine were given a late scare when Hong Kong missed a penalty.
"Thank you to the fans who are coming to support Palestine," captain Musab Al-Battat told beIN SPORTS after the game.
"Thank you from our heart."
UAE went through in second place despite losing 2-1 to group winners Iran.
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Syria also made history by reaching the last 16 in Qatar, with Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates advancing as well on another night of high drama.
Palestine narrowly missed out on second spot in Group C but squeezed through as one of the four best third-placed teams after beating Hong Kong 3-0.
The victory in Doha comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.
Palestinian players and staff have lost loved ones in the conflict and said before the tournament that they hoped to provide some comfort to those suffering back hom
Oday Dabbagh scored once in each half and Zeid Qunbar grabbed another before Palestine were given a late scare when Hong Kong missed a penalty.
"Thank you to the fans who are coming to support Palestine," captain Musab Al-Battat told beIN SPORTS after the game.
"Thank you from our heart."
UAE went through in second place despite losing 2-1 to group winners Iran.
Syria's players celebrate reaching the last 16
© KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Syria also reached the knockout rounds for the first time with a 1-0 win over Igor Stimac's India in Group B.
Omar Khribin was Syria's hero, his 76th-minute goal also confirming China's early exit from the competition.
China had hoped to sneak through with their third place and two points in Group A.
They failed to score in any of their three matches.
'We don't want to stop'
Australia topped Group B following a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan, with Hector Cuper's Syria progressing with those two teams as one of the best third-placed teams.
India came bottom and are heading home with no wins or goals.
"We are very happy with the qualification, very proud of my players, they made huge sacrifices to get this result," the veteran Argentine coach Cuper said.
"We played the game with one aim in our mind -- to win, and we managed to do that.
"We don't want to stop here."
Despite another early exit -- in what was a hard group -- Stimac said India would take home "good lessons".
"It was a learning experience for the boys," he said, having seen his team beaten 2-0 by Australia and 3-0 by Uzbekistan.
"My satisfaction is that we managed to create chances against Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria."
In the other game between Uzbekistan and Australia, who had already qualified, the Socceroos took a controversial lead through a Martin Boyle penalty in first-half stoppage time.
A VAR check harshly ruled that the ball had hit Uzbek defender Odiljon Hamrobekov's hand in the build-up as he slid in to tackle Australian forward Kusini Yengi.
Boyle dispatched the penalty low into the corner.
"If this is a penalty I don't understand the rules. There is no intention," said Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec.
The Uzbeks, who have been touted as outsiders for the title, levelled 12 minutes from time when substitute Azizbek Turgunboev got on the end of a cross to head home.
On Wednesday, pre-tournament favourites Japan will look to get their tournament back on track and seal their spot in the knockouts when they face Indonesia, who can also still advance.
Japan were stunned 2-1 by Iraq last time out, putting the Iraqis through.
© 2024 AFP
Syria also reached the knockout rounds for the first time with a 1-0 win over Igor Stimac's India in Group B.
Omar Khribin was Syria's hero, his 76th-minute goal also confirming China's early exit from the competition.
China had hoped to sneak through with their third place and two points in Group A.
They failed to score in any of their three matches.
'We don't want to stop'
Australia topped Group B following a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan, with Hector Cuper's Syria progressing with those two teams as one of the best third-placed teams.
India came bottom and are heading home with no wins or goals.
"We are very happy with the qualification, very proud of my players, they made huge sacrifices to get this result," the veteran Argentine coach Cuper said.
"We played the game with one aim in our mind -- to win, and we managed to do that.
"We don't want to stop here."
Despite another early exit -- in what was a hard group -- Stimac said India would take home "good lessons".
"It was a learning experience for the boys," he said, having seen his team beaten 2-0 by Australia and 3-0 by Uzbekistan.
"My satisfaction is that we managed to create chances against Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria."
In the other game between Uzbekistan and Australia, who had already qualified, the Socceroos took a controversial lead through a Martin Boyle penalty in first-half stoppage time.
A VAR check harshly ruled that the ball had hit Uzbek defender Odiljon Hamrobekov's hand in the build-up as he slid in to tackle Australian forward Kusini Yengi.
Boyle dispatched the penalty low into the corner.
"If this is a penalty I don't understand the rules. There is no intention," said Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec.
The Uzbeks, who have been touted as outsiders for the title, levelled 12 minutes from time when substitute Azizbek Turgunboev got on the end of a cross to head home.
On Wednesday, pre-tournament favourites Japan will look to get their tournament back on track and seal their spot in the knockouts when they face Indonesia, who can also still advance.
Japan were stunned 2-1 by Iraq last time out, putting the Iraqis through.
© 2024 AFP
Syria beat India to reach Asian Cup knockouts for first time
Doha (AFP) – Syria reached the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over India, sending their opponents home.
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
Doha (AFP) – Syria reached the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over India, sending their opponents home.
Issued on: 23/01/2024 -
Ibrahim Hessar delivered a cutback from the left for Omar Khrbin (left) to score for Syria © KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
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Hector Cuper's side finished Group B with four points and go through to the last 16 as one of the best four third-placed teams.
Omar Khribin was Syria's hero, his 76th-minute goal the winner.
Igor Stimac's India head home from Qatar with three defeats and no goals.
"We are very happy with the qualification, very proud of my players, they made huge sacrifices to get this result," the Argentine coach Cuper said.
"We played the game with one aim in our mind -- to win, and we managed to do that.
"We don't want to stop here."
Syria did most of the attacking in the opening exchanges in Doha but were restricted to speculative shots, as they sought their first goal and win at this Asian Cup.
They were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes when Mahmood Al-Aswad violently chest-barged Mahesh Singh Naorem to the ground, having been dragged back in possession.
Referee Sivakorn Pu-udom booked both players, in a generally lenient performance.
Moments later, the Thai official declined fierce penalty appeals from the Syrians for a trip in the box on Ammar Ramadan.
By half-time, with Uzbekistan trailing Australia 1-0 in the other match in the group, a win would have seen Syria tie the Uzbeks on four points.
But they trailed their rivals on goal difference and would need to score a few to take second place and an automatic place in the knockouts.
With 20 minutes left and goals needed, Cuper sent on forward Alaa Al-Dali, replacing Ramadan.
As Indian legs tired, Syria finally mustered a moment of slick football 14 minutes from time, Ibrahim Hesar delivering a cutback from the left for Khribin to drill into the net.
"Congratulations to Syria, they deserved their win," said former Croatian international defender Stimac.
"They were stronger than us and more calm."
Despite falling once more at the first hurdle -- in what was a hard group -- Stimac said India would take home "good lessons".
"It was a learning experience for the boys," he said, having seen his team beaten 2-0 by Australia and 3-0 by Uzbekistan.
"My satisfaction is that we managed to create chances against Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria."
© 2024 AFP
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Hector Cuper's side finished Group B with four points and go through to the last 16 as one of the best four third-placed teams.
Omar Khribin was Syria's hero, his 76th-minute goal the winner.
Igor Stimac's India head home from Qatar with three defeats and no goals.
"We are very happy with the qualification, very proud of my players, they made huge sacrifices to get this result," the Argentine coach Cuper said.
"We played the game with one aim in our mind -- to win, and we managed to do that.
"We don't want to stop here."
Syria did most of the attacking in the opening exchanges in Doha but were restricted to speculative shots, as they sought their first goal and win at this Asian Cup.
They were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes when Mahmood Al-Aswad violently chest-barged Mahesh Singh Naorem to the ground, having been dragged back in possession.
Referee Sivakorn Pu-udom booked both players, in a generally lenient performance.
Moments later, the Thai official declined fierce penalty appeals from the Syrians for a trip in the box on Ammar Ramadan.
By half-time, with Uzbekistan trailing Australia 1-0 in the other match in the group, a win would have seen Syria tie the Uzbeks on four points.
But they trailed their rivals on goal difference and would need to score a few to take second place and an automatic place in the knockouts.
With 20 minutes left and goals needed, Cuper sent on forward Alaa Al-Dali, replacing Ramadan.
As Indian legs tired, Syria finally mustered a moment of slick football 14 minutes from time, Ibrahim Hesar delivering a cutback from the left for Khribin to drill into the net.
"Congratulations to Syria, they deserved their win," said former Croatian international defender Stimac.
"They were stronger than us and more calm."
Despite falling once more at the first hurdle -- in what was a hard group -- Stimac said India would take home "good lessons".
"It was a learning experience for the boys," he said, having seen his team beaten 2-0 by Australia and 3-0 by Uzbekistan.
"My satisfaction is that we managed to create chances against Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria."
© 2024 AFP
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