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Starting XI: Abdelhadi Yassin, Omar El-Kayed, Ali Rabei, Ibrahim Abu Ameer, Wajdi Nabhan (C), Ahmed Kullab (Sadeq Obaid), Hamza Hussein (Mohammed Hassanain), Zaid Qombor, Samer Zubaida (Anas Bani Owda); Khaled Nabris (Ahmed Daghim), Reebal Dahamshe (Gibran Haj Yousef)
Goals: Ali Rabei 5′, Khaled El-Sheikh 25′
Subs: Gibran Haj Yousef <-> Reebal Dahamseh 58′ // Ahmed Daghim <-> Khaled Al-Nabris 74′ // Anas Bani Owda <-> Samer Zubaida 74′ // Sadeq Obaid <-> Ahmed Kullab 90′ // Mohammed Hassanain <-> Hamza Hussein 90′
Recap: Palestine’s 2023 Pan Arab Games campaign got off to a blistering start with the team going top of the Gorup B table within five minutes of kickoff. Ali Rabei finished off a dangerous free kick that was delivered by Ahmed Kullab and it looked like there would be many more goals on the night.
In the end, Palestine were forced to settle for a point by a Mauritanian side that looked lost for the first 25 minutes of the encounter.
Palestine twice hit the crossbar in the first quarter of the game through Khaled Nabris and Zeid Qombor. Immediately after the second attempt pinged off the woodwork- Mauritania blitzed down field and scored the equalizer. Abdelhadi Yassin did well to save the initial shot but could do little about the follow up.
That goal settled Mauritanian nerves who were all of a sudden a lot more solid in defence and more threatening in attack.
Halftime was a welcome respite for Ehab Abujazar’s men who proceeded to dominate the second half in spite of the physicality and speed of their Mauritanian opponents. Chances fell to Khaled Nabris who was through on goal and forgot to shoot and Wajdi Nabhan whose goalward shot was blocked by the face of a Mauritanian defender.
Palestine went to the bench and although the substitutes added a spark none could really break down the defensive lines of Al-Murabitun. This match was a microcosm of what seems to be missing in the side- a true play maker in midfield.
For their part, Mauritania had a chance to take the lead in the second half after Wadji Nabhan was caught dawdling on the ball- Abdelhadi Yassin came up big to save his captain’s blushes.
When the final whistle went Palestine felt it was the case of two points dropped instead of a point gained. Captain Wajdi Nabhan dropped to his knees and slammed the turf in frustration. It was one of those nights for Al-Fida’i
What I Liked: A fast start and I think the right tactical to call was made in the second half to ditch the 4-4-2 in favor of a 4-3-3. There was a lot of fight and Palestine deserved to win this game the goal just didn’t arrive in time
What I didn’t Like: At some point in the first quarter of the game Palestine should have slowed the tempo down and tried to keep possession. I get that this team is set up to play in transitions and that there are talented big attackers that can turn a clearance into dangerous opportunities but there was no need to force the issue after taking the lead.
Elsewhere: Palestine are joint-top thanks to fair play points. Syria had man sent off as they slumped to a 1-1 draw against a youthful Saudi side. Oman vs. Algeria ended in a 0-0 draw Sudan are top of Group A thhanks to their 3-0 demolition of 10-man Lebanon earlier in the day.
What’s Next: Palestine take on Syria on Wednesday, July 5th at 19:30 Jerusalem Time
