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It was a daunting task. Palestine knew before a ball was kicked only a win would secure safe passage to the knockout stage of the WAFF U23 semifinal. A topsy-turvy match between UAE and Jordan saw Al-Nashama come back from a goal down in the final 10 minutes of the match despite being reduced to 10 men.
Palestine were without the injured Khaled Al-Nabris but otherwise fielded an unchanged side with Samer Zubaida coming in and the shape slightly altered to a 4-4-1-1. Al-Fida’i endured a nnervy start to the game which saw preemptive clearances and long balls being used. After the half hour mark, Palestine started to settle in the match as Zaid Qombor and the midfield started to win crucial aerial duels. On the hour mark, Qombor had Palestine’s real chance at scoring but shot narrowly wide.
Four minutes later, a clever combination between Gibran Hah Yousef and Samer Zubaida saw the Hilal Al-Quds man produce a genuine scoring chance but one that Abadi saved with ease.
Palestine took that momentum into the second half and nearly opened the scoring in the 51st minute when a sweeping attack resulted in Wajdi Nabhan stinging the palms of the Iranian goalkeeper. Abadi spilled that chance but was lucky his defenders were in the area to clear it.
Palestine would indeed get the breakthrough after Hamza Hussein deftly intercepted the ball in the attacking third and sprung Zaid Qombor free on the left flank. A powerful effort hit the back of the net and there was a real feeling that the upset could be on.
Iran’s shooting had been and continued to be wayward and there was rarely a time when Abdelhadi Yassin had to make a save of note. In injury time, Samer Zubaida sprung Zaid Qombor free, this time on the right flank, his run bamboozled two Iranian defenders but his shot was stopped by Abadi. Frustratingly, Hamza Hussein was wide open and could have sealed the game had Qombor decided to pass.
Three minutes later, Anas Bani Owda was set racing on the counter by Zaid Qombor’s pass but his shot was weak and straight at Abadi.
Unfortunately, for Al-Fida’i there was to be no upset on the night. A spectacular bicycle kick in the 97th minute by Ahmad Shariatzadeh rescued Iran’s blushes and sent them top of the group.
Palestine were forced to wait for the result of the Iraq and UAE match to know their fate but the hosts took care of business, which meant Palestine missed out on the semifinals. The ranking of the best runners up came down to goals scored- leaving Palestine to rue their missed chances- particularly the missed penalty against Syria in their opening match.
