Palestine knocked out of Asian Cup by Qatar ahead of quarterfinals

By Reuters 29 January 2024, 8:26 pm

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Defending champions Qatar survive a scare to beat Palestine 2-1 and advance to the Asian Cup quarter-finals, thanks to goals from Hassan Al-Haydos and Akram Afif at Al Bayt Stadium.

Despite Qatar starting as firm favorites on home turf in front of nearly 64,000 fans, it was an industrious Palestine side that looked more promising in attack in the first half and which was rewarded for its perseverance in the 37th minute.

Palestine stole the ball off Qatar high up the pitch before Oday Dabbagh embarked on a solo run and shot past keeper Meshaal Barsham into the bottom corner for his third goal of the tournament and the country’s first ever in the knockout stage, but failed to hold on to the lead for the rest of the game.