Palestine Starting XI: Rami Hamadi, Musab Al-Battat (C), Yaser Hamed Mayor (Yazan Iwaiwi), Mohammed Saleh, Samer Jondi; Mohammed Rashid, Mohammed Yamin (Joaquin Abdala), Mahmoud Abu Warda (Badr Moussa); Oday Dabbagh (Odai Kharoub), Tamer Seyam (Nicolas Zedan), Saleh Chihadeh
Goals: Saleh Chihadeh 31′ Tamer Seyam 42′ Mohammed Yamin 55′ Mahmoud Abu Warda 72′
Substitutions: Oday Kharoub <-> Oday Dabbagh 69′ // Joaquin Abdala <-> Mohammed Yamin 77′ // Badr Moussa <-> Mahmoud Abu Warda 77′ // Nicolas Zedan <-> Tamer Seyam 84′ // Yazan Iwaiwi <-> Yaser Hamed Mayor 84′
Cautions: Mohammed Saleh 87′
Recap: Palestine secured passage to their third straight AFC Asian Cup Finals with a scintillating performance that swept away a Philippines side who were put up stiff resistance in the first half. The pace of the encounter was played at a far quicker pace as the Azkals looked to catch Palestine off guard. Rami Hamadi had to come off his line to cut off the danger of an onrushing Gerit Holtman in the first minute of the game. From there on out a pattern developed- Philippines kept possession neatly- often passing from side to side while Palestine attacked in a more direct fashion.
There were dangerous moments around Philippines’s box but the shot over the opening half hour lacked any bite. Mohammed Yamin headed at Neil Etherdige from point blank range, Yaser Hamed nearly turned in Mahmoud bu Warda’s shot. As the first half wore on, Dabboub realized that the Philippines were heavily reliant on their back line to recycle and maintain possession. A tactical change was made to press Philippines high up the pitch which duly delivered.
On the half hour mark, Saleh Chihadeh made it two goals in as many games- heading a pinpoint cross from Musab Al-Battat. Former USA Captain Thomas Dooley went to his bench in search of attacking firepower and that nearly produced a goal for the Azkals. Substitute Patrick Reichelt was denied a goal by Rami Hamadi off a corner kick who saved spectacularly and then somehow grabbed the ball from the clutches of fellow substitute Dylan de Brucker.
A minute later, Palestine had the clinching goal. Tamer Seyam who has averaged a goal involvement in every other game for Palestine popped up in the box to head home Abu Warda’s cross from the left flank. The goal was the result of heavy pressing by Al-Fida’i who cut off the supply line between Neil Etheridge and his back line following a tactical adjustment by Makram Dabboub.
In the second half, Palestine continued to pile forward. A dejected Philippines side attempted to get a goal back but the game plan came crashing down in the 55th minute after Neil Etheridge allowed Mohammed Yamin’s tame header to deflect off his chest and into the goal. The Birmingham City shot stopper claimed to have stopped the ball from crossing the line but with no goal line technology- the goal stood as called. Etheridge’s backwards reaching motion seemed to signal that it indeed crossed the line.
Seventeen minutes later Abu Warda capped a fantastic performance with a well taken goal, nestling Samer Jondi’s pass into the corner of Etheridge’s goal.
There was an effective game management period after that with Palestine only countering into the space vacated by Philippines. The Azkals continued in their search for a consolation goal but were denied by Rami Hamadi and a stifling defence.
When the final whistle blew Palestine had confirmed their place at the Asian Cup Finals. The result also clinched finals berths for Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, India, and Hong Kong before their respective 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers later today.
What I liked: Palestine had four different goals scorers and four different providers. They maintained a clean sheet while snuffing out the dangerous Geritt Holtmann. Philippines might not be a fantastic side but they are better than the other three in this group and argument can be made that they are better than Hong Kong and India who will be at next year’s Asian Cup. Palestine have made a statement by scoring four goals (they had scored four total in three previous encounters) in a game against an opponent that was considered an equal as recently as eight years ago.
What I didn’t like: I think everyone wanted to see Oday Dabbagh continue his scoring streak but seeing him collapse and ask for a substitution raises questions as to the value of having on the pitch with less than half an hour to go and the team 3-0 up. Hopefully the injury isn’t too serious, Dabbagh needs to be available for preseason to become a surefire starter for Arouca FC.
Man of the Match: Mahmoud Abu Warda. Energy, determination, flare, short passes, long passes- the wee man has everything. A great performance to cap a qualification campaign that saw him cement his role as a starter with the national team. Credit goes to the entire team though that have topped an AFC Asian Cup Qualifying Group for the first time ever whilst guaranteeing Palestine’s passage to a third successive finals.
Makram the Mastermind: I am sure there will be those that dismiss the result but Makram Dabboub has rescued this team from the abyss. We hit rock bottom with Noureddine Ould Ali- who stifled our natural attacking flair while instituting bunker ball tactics that were ineffective against Asia’s weaker opponents and only succeeded against more established ones due to the grit and determination of the players.
Look at the numbers- Makram has a 63% winning percentage in 11 games in charge. He has won all five of his World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers. In those games Palestine scored 17 and conceded none. There is also style to go with substance- he lets his fullbacks attack and now the likes of Mahmoud Wadi and Saleh Chiahdeh have been unleashed. Oday Dabbagh is even more dangerous simply because he doesn’t have to do it all.
When the team needs to defend he has the likes of Dabbagh running back to help out. Midfielders like Mohammed Yamin and Mohammed Rashid who could not even see the goal under Noureddine Ould Ali are also getting involved in the attack.
You simply cannot hold the FIFA Arab Cup results against him. The Tunisian didn’t have Rami Hamadi, Musab Al-Battat, Samer Jondi (he’s barred from calling Abdallah Jaber), Oday Dabbagh, Mahmoud Wadi, Saleh Chihadeh, and Badr Moussa at his disposal- all of whom played a big role in Palestine’s competitive victories.
Is he above any criticism? No. That said some of the criticism levied against him has been completely unfair and I look forward to seeing what he can produce at the Asian Cup next year.
What’s Next: No friendlies have been scheduled but the FA need to start getting their house in order ahead of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Finals in a yet to be determined country. Makram Dabboub needs games to test out players and round out his squad.
We should know in short order when and where the next Asian Cup will be held as well as a date for the group stage draw.
