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Palestine Starting XI: Abdelhadi Yasin, Omar Kayed, Ibrahim Abuimier, Wajdi Nabhan (C), Ahmed Kullab (Mohammed Sandouqa 82′), Hamza Hussein (Sadeq Obaid 82′); Mohammed Direya (Mohammed Hasanain 57′), Khaled Al-Nabris (Samer Zubaida 33′), Zeid Qunbar, Gibran Haj Yousef (Anas Bani Owda 57′)
Goals: Zeid Qunbar 90+1′
It was ugly.
There is not much to write about other than that. When a game is played in 35 C heat and over 80% humidity with no cooling technology it is bound to be end up resembling trench warfare.
Khaled Al-Nabris had to subbed off in the first half with cramps. Bahrain also went to the bench in the first half.
Neither side had many chances but Palestine had just enough in the tank to emerge victorious.
The talisman Zeid Qunbar capitalized on a defensive mistake to give Al-Fida’i control of their destiny. Japan has gone top of the group after their 6-0 win over Pakistan. Results in other groups means Palestine is still on the outside looking in, in terms of the best runners up.
It is too early to start calculating but Palestine will most likely need at least a draw, coupled with a win vs. Pakistan on the final day to qualify for the finals in April 2024.
