Palestine qualified for their maiden Asian Cup with a 1-0 win over the injury-hit Philippines in the final of the Asian Football Confederation’s Challenge Cup in the Maldives on Friday.
Ashraf Alfawaghra scored the winner with a free-kick in the 59th minute to ensure that it was a memorable night for Palestine — ranked 34th in Asia — at the National Football Stadium in the Maldivian capital of Male.
With the triumph, Palestine ended the eight-nation tournament without conceding a goal in five matches and booked their place in the Asian Cup, which is to be held in Australia in January next year.
Photo: AFP
They will be placed in Group D of the continental showpiece, alongside defending champions Japan, as well as Jordan and Iraq.
The Philippines — ranked 21st in Asia — were missing four key players for Friday’s match, with goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, fullback Dennis Cagara, centerback Juan Guirado and striker Ruben Doctora all out injured.
Delighted Palestine manager Jamal Mahmoud said that his side’s 2-0 victory over fancied Afghanistan in the semi-finals on Tuesday had given them the confidence to believe they were capable of winning the title.
“That win against the Afghans [side] was very important,” he said. “I think we were also the better team in the final. This is a very proud moment for us and our fans back home. We have not let them down.”
“We are all very excited about getting a chance to be part of the Asian Cup. We will prepare well for it,” Mahmoud added.
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