AL KHOR: Defending champions Qatar booked their place in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023quarter-finals with a 2-1 comeback win over Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium on Monday.With the.
Despite the war and whatever the result, the only thing that mattered in Al-Dhahiriyah in the occupied West Bank on Monday was the number 7 jersey worn by Palestine's Musab al-Battat.For those in the team captain's native village, and despite the team's last 16 loss to Qatar in Doha, the game was 90 minutes of pure pride.Hours before Monday's kick-off, the plastic chairs had already been drawn up in a semicircle.There were sweets, and black, green and red wigs in the national colours for the kids. For the men there were endless cigarettes.
After 36 matches, 87 goals, and 16 teams booking their place in the next phase of the competition, the group stage action in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2.
DOHA: Son Heung-min’s stuttering South Korea play Saudi Arabia while Palestine face hosts and holders Qatar as the Asian Cup kicks into high gear with the knockout rounds from Sunday.
Musab Al-Battat has led Palestine on the pitch with his all-action performances and off it as the voice of a team who have battled the odds to reach the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time.The 30-year-old captain will be the man his team look to once again for inspiration when Palestine face hosts and reigning champions Qatar in a daunting last-16 tie on Monday.Palestine's first time in the knockout rounds of the regional championship was sealed with their first ever victory in the tournament, 3-0 over Hong Kong.