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Palestine Starting XI: Rami Hamadi, Musab Al-Battat © (Musa Farawi 63’), Michel Termanini, Amid Mahajna, Ahmed Taha, Odai Kharoub, Agustín Manzur (Adam Kaied 46’), Hamed Hemdan; Tamer Seyam (Zaid Qunbar 63’), Oday Dabbagh (Badr Moussa 79’), Wessam Abou Ali
Cautions: Hamed Hemdan 66’, Adam Kaied 88’ Rami Hamadi 88’ Zaid Qunbar 90+5’
Goals: Odai Kharoub 49’ // Issam Al-Subihi 90+7’ (p)
Recap: Penalty. A seven letter word with so much weight and one that ultimately changed the narrative of this match in its dying embers.
For those new to Asian football and the trials and tribulations of Palestine’s national team, Tuesday’s match was a baptism of fire.
A botched call that would not stand anywhere else in the football world but somehow was deemed not even worthy for the referee to have a second look.
This match was not only about the penalty call that allowed Oman to draw 1-1 with virtually no time left. It was a gritty affair, one that Palestine had the upper hand in for all but the final ten minutes or so.
Palestine could have opened the scoring inside the first five minutes but Michel Termanini’s headed effort smashed against the crossbar. Neither team really threatened after that but Palestine racked up nine shots whereas Oman’s attack was anemic- mustering only two.
The halftime talk did spur the team into action as did the substitution of Agustín Manzur for the more inventive Adam Kaied. The substitute would play a starring role again from the corner kick spot his near post delivery found Odai Kharoub who bundled home his first international goal on his 39th appearance for his country.
That goal meant Oman needed to actually attack and they did show more intent but did little to threaten Rami Hamadi’s goal. When Harib Al-Saadi collected his second yellow of the evening and marched off, it seemed to be Oman’s death knell.
Except Palestine did nothing to push their advantage. They could not keep the ball and the one decent chance that fell their way in the match’s final stanza was put wide by Wessam Abou Ali.
In spite of Oman’s increased possession. There was no goal forthcoming until Muhsen Al-Ghassani launched himself on the ground in desperation. The final whistle blew, VAR was allegedly consulted and Ahmed Taha was accused of a crime he did not commit.
Issam Al-Subihi might win the plaudits for slotting home the penalty but the protagonist of this game was the man in the middle- Mooud Bonyadifard.
What I liked: This team did not go down without a fight. In the end it was a bridge too far. No home games. No domestic league. No help from their own Football Association. No luck smiling down on them either.
I felt the team deserved a spot in Round 4 but the journey would have likely ended there. Now it is time to use this experience to build up the national team so they are ready for the 2027 Asian Cup and 2030 World Cup.
What I didn’t like: We cannot absolve ourselves from all blame. Palestine could have and should have created more chances to score. Short of that they should have possessed the ball more. Oman ended the second half with 67% possession.
Palestine needed to win this match and starting with a midfield that lacked invention was the reason the team did not score in the first half. The second half substitutions also left a lot to be desired. Hebous could have helped and deserved to be thrown on more than Badr Moussa who did nothing to relieve pressure on the team.
In the end, it is hard to get over the penalty call. Oman did not force Rami Hamadi into a single save.
What’s Next: Palestine has no matches scheduled for the FIFA dates in September, October, and November. Their next game is the Arab Cup play-in (to be hosted in Qatar) against Libya slated to be played on November 25th or 26th.
