Receive news, analysis, and other content straight to your inbox by subscribing to Football Palestine (free or paid), here.
Starting XI (3-4-3): Rami Hamadi, Musab Al-Battat (C) (Musa Farawi 43′), Yaser Hamed Mayor, Michel Termanini (Camilo Saldaña 43′), Amid Mahajna, Mohammed Khalil; Ataa Jaber, Mohammed Yamin (Ameed Sawafta 46′); Tamer Seyam (Jonathan Cantillana), Ali Abu Alfa (Sameh Maraaba 46′), Alaa Aldeen Hassan (Odai Kharoub)
Recap: On a steamy evening in Hanoi Palestine set to find out more about the players they had at their disposal.
The starting line-up featured a formation change as Palestine went to a three man back line that saw Amid Mahajna handed his first cap. Mohammed Khalil was favored over Samer Jondi at left back, Mohammed Yamin replaced Mohammed Rashid, and Ali Abu Alfa got the start in the place of the injured Musa Abu Warda.
In possession, Palestine looked to play a 3-4-3 which switched to a 4-5-1 out of possession. The first half fell victim to the elements as both teams struggled to play on the slippery pitch. Both sides had to go to their bench early due to injuries- a sight no one wants to see in any match- much less a meaningless friendly.
After an initial ten minute feeling out period- Vietnam took control over the next ten before Palestine grew into their own for the following stanza. Palestine went close in the 18th minute after Ataa Jaber’s threaded pass found the streaking Ali Abu Alfa.
An even better chance was created by Musab Al-Battat and Tamer Seyam on the right wing with the captain sending in a lovely cross that Alaa Aldeen Hassan swung and missed from less than two meters out.
Hassan had another chance on thee counter minutes later that he might have done better with had he laid off the ball to a teammate.
Seyam also went close before the half and there was a sense that Palestine could come out of this game with something. The team dealt with set pieces nervously but well enough and they seemed to be growing into the game.
The forced substitutions of Musab Al-Battat and Michel Termanini were a harbinger of bad things to come. It meant that Mohammed Khalil had to take up one of the three centre back positions- a position he had never played at international level before. Musa Farawi showcased his recovery speed several times in the second half but his crossing left a lot to be desired.
Throughout the first half, Makram Daboub could be heard screaming at Ali Abu Alfa and for all his skill on the ball seemed to not understand what he should be doing out of possession. The German born winger was hauled off at the half along with Mohammed Yamin who had picked up a head injury and the team enjoyed their best 15 minute spell of the game, putting Vietnam under all sorts of pressure.
The pitch assisted in foiling more than one promising attack as Tamer Seyam lost his footing just as he was about to turn in the box.
The game turned on an important non-call. Alaa Aldeen Hassan was fouled in the box but the referee waived play on, and less than five minutes later, Vietnam managed to split the defence for the first goal- Cong Phuong Nguyen scoring completely against the run of play.
To their credit, Palestine kept pouring forwards and they had several chances to equalize. The problem was that both those chances fell to substitute Odai Kharoub- who conspired to miss an open goal with his first touch of the game and then saw his second effort moments later saved by the thigh of Dinh Trieu Nguyen.
Two minutes following that Vietnam exposed Palestine’s problems at left back. Camilo Saldaña was caught up field and Mohammed Khalil could not cover his vacated space quickly enough a laid on pass for Tuan Hai Pham saw Vietnam double the score.
Palestine continued to come at Vietnam in waves. Jonathan Cantillana, who replaced Tamer Seyam, was denied by a fantastic save by Nguyen. In the 86th minute, Ameed Sawafta had the ball in the back of the net only for an incorrect offsides call to be whistled in the build up (Sameh Maraaba had not touched the ball).
A frustrating night for Al-Fida’i will mean more unrest from fans who have been unhappy with results over the last three windows (1W 1D 3L).
What I liked: Makram Daboub handed a 16th debut to Amid Mahajna. He is averaging one debut per match since taking over full time in April 2021. Factor in the 2020 Bangabandhu Gold Cup he presided over and that figure jumps to 27 in 20 games.
Friendlies are for testing and tinkering and we discovered many things about this squad. The 3-4-3 formation worked for the most part, allowing Palestine to effectively mirror the opposition. A lot of the new players have potential- they may not be ready to start games but they can contribute.
What I didn’t like: The moment Oday Dabbagh left camp a replacement should have been drafted. The one thing I can fault Daboub for is leaving out a guy like Yashir Islame (who has a club) and bringing Jonathan Cantillana who effectively showed why his best days are long gone. Even if Daboub wanted to turn a page he could have called up literally anybody else to make up the numbers- Reebal Dahamshe, Mohammed Balah, or an uncapped player like Hamada Maraaba or Hamza Issa.
When you have Odai Kharoub playing in an advanced position missing sitters- you know you are in trouble.
What’s Next: Palestine will travel to Malaysia next month to take part in the Merdeka Cup. They face Tajikistan on October 13th and the winner/loser of Malaysia vs. India on October 17th.
