Palestine Starting XI: Rami Hamadi (C), Musa Farawi, Michel Termanini (Yaser Hamed Mayor), Mohammed Saleh, Samer Jondi; Mohammed Rashid, Odai Kharoub (Ameed Sawafta), Mohammed Yamin; Mahmoud Abu Warda (Jonathan Cantillana), Islam Batran (Samir Maarouf), Mahmoud Wadi (Saleh Chihadeh)
Subs: Jonathan Cantillana for Mahmoud Abu Warda 40′ // Yaser Hamed Mayor for Michel Termanini 58′ // Saleh Chihadeh for Mahmoud Wadi 58′ // Samir Maarouf for Islam Batran 81′ // Ammed Sawafta for Odai Kharoub 81′
Goals: Michel Termanini 51′ Islam Batran 61′ // Sayed Dhia Saeed 80′
Recap: Palestine took to the pitch at the Manama International Stadium for the first time since June 2023. Their opposition, Bahrain, had eight matches- including four at the recently concluded Gulf Cup.
Makram Dabboub experimented not only with personnel in the absence of Musab Al-Battat, Tamer Seyam, and Oday Dabbagh but also shape. The team was sent out in a 4-4-2 formation and neither full back was seen providing the width they usually do in the usual 4-3-3. The opening twenty minutes were a cagey affair with neither side producing a shot on a goal. Bahrain went close through Mahdi Abduljabbar in the 5th minute who shot wide after his name sake- Mahdi Al-Humaidan artfully worked the touchline and provided him with a pass.
Palestine had the next half chance go begging on the twenty minute mark. Mohammed Rashid’s free kick wreaked havoc in the Bahraini box but no Palestinian player could get a foot or head on it to redirect it goalwards.
As the first half wore on, play started to become more open. In the 40th minute all was set for Bahrain to open the scoring from the penalty spot. A spot kick was awarded after Abdulla Yusuf Helal beat the offside trap and was hacked down by Mohammed Saleh.
Mahdi Abduljabbar stepped up to convert the penalty kick but was denied by Rami Hamadi who stretched to his right to deny the home team a crucial opener.
That save sprung Palestine to life who launched a sweeping counter through Islam Batran only to see Mahmoud Wadi’s close range effort deflected for a corner kick.
The second half saw a calmer Palestine- one that was more patient in picking its spots to attack than the first half iteration. In the 51st minute, following a curling effort from Islam Batran, Palestine did what Palestine usually do under Makram Dabboub. Score off a set piece.
Yaser Hamed Mayor would typically be the player to convert in such circumstances; this time it was his replacement- Michel Termanini. The 24 year old defender put his body on the line to steer home the opener and had to receive treatment after running into the post. Termanini soldiered on but was soon replaced by the man whose place he had occupied for the evening.
Shortly after that substitution, Palestine scored a second in utterly bizarre circumstances. A poorly cleared corner kick found the feet of Islam Batran who curled the ball back into the box from the right flank. That ball eluded the Bahriani goalkeeper and defence and even Palestine’s attackers and ended its flight nestled into the side netting of the far post.
With 29 minutes to play Makram Dabboub opted to play defensively and the team responded with aplomb. Al-Fida’i made a series of last ditch tackles and fought every ball. When they were beaten Rami Hamadi made save after save.
Bahrain would eventually find the back of the net through a thunderous Sayed Dhia Saeed strike that hit the post and deflected across the face of goal- eventually crossing the goal line.
There was to be no Bahraini remontada on the night as Dabboub’s charges held on for the team’s fourth straight victory.
What I liked: There was a certain calmness about this performance. Was it perfect? No. That said the team managed to get a result and extricate themselves from a tricky situation. This is the sort of maturity Palestine will need to have in the next cycle. Beating Bahrain without utilizing Oday Dabbagh, Tamer Seyam, or Musab Al-Battat is an achievement that speaks to the work being done behind the scenes.
What I didn’t like: I was not thrilled to see a midfield triumvirate of Odai Kharoub, Mohammed Rashid, and Mohammed Yamin. It is even more awkward in a 4-4-2 as Yamin isn’t a player that hugs the touchline. In the end, the plan worked just fine but there were times when it felt like the team had no ideas in central parts of the pitch. The search for a #10 continues.
Man of the Match: Rami Hamadi, who was unlucky not to come away with a clean sheet for his heroics between the posts. This was the goalkeeper’s first appearance as captain of the squad and he did a great job marshaling an experimental back line. His performance exuded confidence that rubbed off on his teammates and it is times like this when you think about what else a man with 36 caps, 20 clean sheets, and a meager 25 goals conceded has to do to earn a move abroad.
Jersey Watch: It’s still those Joma jerseys with no design and the flag ironed on. No word on what happened to the jerseys unveiled by Tempo Sport in February.
What’s Next: Palestine travel to Jakarta to face Indonesia on June 14th. They will find out who their AFC Asian Cup opponents are on May 11th.
