 |
| Palestine go through their paces on the grounds of the Dora International Stadium |
Several changes were announced to Palestine’s squad ahead of tomorrow’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Bhutan.
Injuries have cost Palestine the services of a slew of attackers including Yashir Pinto, Ahmad Awad, Mahmoud Eid, and Hosam Aiesh.
Abdel Nasser Barakat will now have to also cope with absences on the other end of the pitch. Haitham Dheeb who has marshaled Palestine excellently throughout qualifying (only three goals allowed- one from open play) has been forced out with injury. Joining him in the sick bay is Ahmad Maher- who had scored the most goals in the squad.
Oday Dabbagh has been given special dispensation to leave the squad following the death of his uncle.
In their stead, Abdel Nasser has called up Mohammed Abukhamis (1 cap), Hamada Maraaba, and Yousef Al-Ashhab (0 caps).
Dheeb’s absence leaves a gaping hole in defence. With Tamer Salah and Alaa Abu Saleh also out of the squad, Barakat will now have to select from a group of defenders (Yazan Iwaiwi, Mohammed Abu Khamis, and Mohammed Saleh) who have a total of just three caps between them.
 |
| Squad list as revealed by the Asian Football Confederation. |
In attack, the absence of Maher and Dabbagh means more pressure will be on the likes of surefire starters Maraaba, Seyam, and Jonathan to create the chance to get the three points.
