Palestine Starting XI: Rami Hamadi, Musab Al-Battat ©, Michel Termanini, Yaser Hamed Mayor, Camilo Saldaña (Samer Jondi), Oday Kharoub (Mohammed Rashid), Ataa Jaber, Jonathan Cantillana (Mahmoud Abu Warda), Tamer Seyam (Zaid Qunbar), Oday Dabbagh, Wessam Abou Ali
Cautions: Camilo Saldaña 30’, Jonathan Cantillana 39’, Tamer Seyam 44’, Odai Kharoub 77’, Samer Jondi 90+1’,
Substitutions: Mahmoud Abu Warda <-> Jonathan Cantillana 66’ // Samer Jondi <-> Camilo Saldaña 72’ // Zaid Qunbar <-> Tamer Seyam 81’ // Mohammed Rashid <-> Odai Kharoub 81’
Goals: None
Recap: There is a certain formula to World Cup qualification. Win your games at home, grind out draws on the road and you are nearly guaranteed to punch your ticket to the finals. Not even the most ardent Palestine supporters thought Palestine could pick up points tonight in Seoul.
This was the maiden fixture between the Taeguk Warriors and Al-Fida’i but in spite of the historical precedence there was little mystery as to who would have the upper hand. For all the drama unfolding in the halls of the Korean Football Association this is still a side favoured to qualify for their eleventh straight World Cup finals. Hong Myung-bo’s starting lineup featured Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, Tottenham ace Son Heung-min, and PSG wunderkind Lee Kang-in.
Palestine on the other hand fielded four players who are currently unemployed.
If the gap in perceived quality was thought to intimidate Palestine it certainly did not show. Palestine were tight and disciplined throughout the first half with Korea having a whopping 79% possession but doing very little to threaten Rami Hamadi’s goal.
In fact it was Palestine who put the first shot on target. A cross in the opening ten minutes from Oday Dabbagh found the onrushing Tamer Seyam who was a fraction too late to make proper contact with the ball. 22 minutes in, Palestine had their goal, a well executed free kick routine from Jonathan Cantillana found Yaser Hamed Mayor whose header fell into the path of Tamer Seyam who bundled home.
The flag went up for offside and the VAR proved that Hamed’s shoulder was offside in the build up. Palestine produced another shot on target minutes later with Hamed heading straight at Jo Hyeon-woo from another set piece.
It took 41 minutes for Hamadi to be properly challenged. The Shefa ‘Amr native closed Lee Kang-in’s angle and smothered a close range shot to ensure Palestine would go into the changing rooms with all to play for in the second half.
Palestine grew in confidence in the second half. Wessam Abou Ali nearly chipped Jo from long range after 52 minutes before Ataa Jaber tried his luck from outside the box three minutes later.
Korea had their best spell of the game following the introduction of Wolverhampton Wanderer’s Hwang Hee-chan. An added presence in attack left Palestine’s defenders scrambling to put out fires. When there was danger Rami Hamadi was equal to the task. Denying Lee Kang-in a spectacular free kick goal and twice styming substitute Oh Se-hun.
When Son Heung-min hit the crossbar after rounding a scrambling Rami Hamadi there was a sense this might just be Palestine’s day. They needed to survive the final 10 minutes of play and an additional eight minutes of time added on to earn a point.
Late chances in transition fell to Oday Dabbagh and Wessam Abou Ali- the latter denied his first goal in a Palestine shirt by Jo three minutes into injury time.
A point in Seoul could prove vital for Palestine as they chase the dream of a FIFA World Cup finals appearance.
Man of the Match: Rami Hamadi. The goalkeeper has stepped up in key moments for Palestine during qualification and this is his most brilliant performance to date. He transmitted confidence to his centrebacks who in spite of their lack of match fitness covered every blade of grass in the middle of the pitch.
The question has to be asked how NOT A SINGLE CLUB in the ENTIRE WORLD has offered Hamadi a contract. He now has 28 clean sheets with the national team in 52 starts (53 caps) and a .83 GAA.
What I liked: Tactically I thought this was one of Palestine’s best games under Makram Daboub. The game plan was clear and it was well executed by the players. Many people will bemoan the selection of Jonathan in midfield but the 32 year old in particular was savvy in possession and solid in defence.
What I didn’t like: There was no need to collect five yellow cards. Three of them could have been avoided (Saldaña and Seyam in particular). We all know what Faghani is like as a ref and we were lucky that no one was sent off with a double booking.
Jersey Watch: Palestine debuted new Kelme kits that are actually quite nice. It is nice to see the green and black piping incorporated in the collar and sleeves and a red triangle at the hem of the shirt (and keeping a subtle Keffiyeh design). I would prefer for the jersey to be paired with black shorts and I think the badge should have فلسطين and not Palestine above the flag.
Now if only they could produce a green home jersey!
What’s Next: Palestine will play host to Jordan in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday September 10th. Kickoff is set for 17:00 Jerusalem time.
