Home » Archive for September 2014

Asian Games: Palestine fall to Singapore but win Group C to book KO date with Japan

Japan awaits Palestine in the Round of 16
Starting XI: Hammadeh, Al-Battat, Salah, Mahdi, Jaber; Abugheneima, Kahroub, Jboor, Musa; Maher, Mara'ba

Substitutions: Mara'ba <-> Batran 57' // Abuwarda <-> Jboor 63' // Kahroub <-> Masalma 70' 

Goals Scored : Ahmed Maher 83' 

Cautions : Abdullah Jaber 45+2' , Tamer Salah  55, Tareq Abugeheneima 90+5 

Highlights after the jump.... 




Highlights 

Palestine played arguably their best game of the tournament thus far but fell victim to two fantastic free kicks taken by Muhammad Ghani. For the first time in their Asian Games campaign, Palestine outshot their opponents, won more corner kicks, and thoroughly dominated possession (63%). 

Despite a slew of chances it seemed that Palestine could not find the right combination in the final third. Although the result doesn't have an affect on Palestine's standing (they are Group C winners with Tajikistan finishing behind them on goal difference) Abdel-Nasser Barakat will hope finishing improves ahead of their Round of 16 date against holders Japan. 

Win or lose the matchup should provide players and the coaching staff (who are favorites to take over the first team) a great dress rehearsal before their Asian Cup opener against the Blue Samurai.

What's Next: Palestine will face Japan on September 25th at 17:00 Local Time. 

Related Posts:

Palestine through to Asian Games knockout stage after 2-1 win over Tajikistan

Mara'ba was on the scoresheet again for Al-Fida'i
Palestine Starting XI: Hammadeh, Al-Battat, Salah, Mahdi, Jaber; Abu Warda, Kharoub Al-Koori, Musa; Maher, Mara'ba

Cautions: Oday Kharoub 41', Hilal Musa 60' 

Goals: Mara'ba 34', Musa 37'

Highlights after the jump....



Palestine made it two wins on the trot in the 2014 Asian Games securing a sensational come from behind victory against Tajikistan. Palestine were the stronger of the two sides in the first half, despite this Al-Fida'i found themselves down 1-0 after Asrorov capitalized on confusion between Hammadeh and his defenders. His poached ball was fired into the back of the net with considerable aplomb. 

It took Palestine less than four minutes to respond- a well worked series of passes found Hamada Mara'ba, who once again cooly finished to the keeper's near post for his second goal of the tournament. Palestine wouldn't have to wait long for a winner, Hilal Musa scored one of the prettiest goals in the history of Palestinian Football with a curling, rasping shot that evaded the best efforts of the Tajik keeper. 

Palestine could have added to their lead before halftime as their dominance in the final third was beginning to overwhelm Tajikistan. The Central Asians were unlucky not to draw level on the stroke of half-time, as they were foiled by a series of epic saves from Rami Hammadeh and a goal-line clearance courtesy of Mus'ab Al-Battat.

Ahmed Maher celebrates the win.
Palestine were again afforded chances to add to their lead early in the second half but were unable to find the finishing touch. As time went on, the team retreated into a more defensive shell in order to counter the constant Tajik attacks down the right flank. Mahmoud Sheikhqasem (Al-Koori) struggled to cope with the physicality of the game and was often fighting for dear life in the middle of the pitch. Despite their struggles, Rami Hammadeh made sure Palestine would see the game out. The Tahqafi Tulkarem keeper didn't put a foot wrong after his early error making at least a half-a-dozen saves in the final 45 minutes of the half. 

With the other Group C game between Oman and Singapore ending in a 3-3 draw- Palestine are now guaranteed an extended stay in Incheon. 

What's Next: Palestine will play Singapore at 11 AM Jerusalem Time on Sunday, January 21st. A point will guarantee top spot in Group C. 

Dressing Room Pandemonium- Who's the Korean Guy? 


 

Related Posts:

Jamal Mahmoud resigns as National Team Manager

Saeb Jendeya (R) will take over in an interim role.
Jamal Mahmoud has resigned as Palestine's national team manager. No direct causes were cited for the resignation but the former Hilal Al-Quds and Wehdat boss had said that he had intended to tender his resignation earlier. 

Reports say that Mahmoud was upset at the lack of communication with the WBPL and felt that the upcoming league schedule should have been set up around national team preparations for the Asian Cup. Moreover, Al-Ghad has reported that the manager had gone eight months without pay. 

In his steed, the PFA has announced that former national team captain Saeb Jendeya will take on the role. Joining his staff will be Fahed Attal- who is Palestine's all-time leading scorer (14 goals) and is still an active player with Shabab Al-Khaleel. 

These appointments are expected to be temporary and it remains to be seen who the PFA will approach to take the job on full-time. 

Mahmoud leaves the post as the most successful manager in Palestine's history. He guided Palestine to the semifinals of the Pan-Arab Games upon taking the post in late 2011. Four months later, Palestine made the semifinals of the Challenge Cup losing to eventual champions Korea DPR. 

In regional tournaments, Mahmoud had less success although he guided Palestine to their first ever WAFF Championship victory (1-0 v. Lebanon) and did manage draws against Saudi Arabia in the 2012 Arab Cup (2-2) and the 2014 WAFF Championship (0-0). 

Unfortunately for Jamal Mahmoud a series of logistical problems often prevented him from fielding his best lineup. Despite this, Mahmoud took an undermanned, underprepared side in 2013 and again in 2014 and led them to a historic Asian Cup qualification without playing a single home game. In the process, his teams won six games and drew twice- never conceding a goal (+16 GD).

Related Posts:

Palestine's Olympic Team defeats Oman to open up 2014 Asian Games


Palestine Starting XI: Hammadeh, Battat, Salah, Mahdi (C), Jaber; Musa, Sheikhqasem, Kharoub, Abuwardeh; Maher, Mara'ba. 

Substitutions: Abuwardeh <--> Abugheneima 67' // Kharoub <-> Musallmeh 78' // Maher <--> Jboor 87'

Goals: Ahmed Maher 39' // Hamada Mara'ba 56'

Cautions: Abuwardeh 35'

Highlights after the jump



Highlights

Palestine's Olympic team defeated their Omani counterparts 2-0 to register their first goals and a first win at the Asian Games. Palestine is participating in their fourth Asian Games and had previously only managed a single draw and eight losses.

The win is part of an upswing in recent years for the U23 team. Several young players in the squad have had extensive experience either as part of the previous cycle or as members of the first team.

In the lead up to this tournament, Palestine played a series of scrimmages and friendlies. The most prominent of which- a 3-0 loss to Brazil served as an excellent dry run in positioning and counterattacking. Before that, Palestine had faced Oman in Muscat in a 4-4 draw that saw many decisions (two penalties) go the way of the hosts.

It was a different story today. Instead of a shootout- Palestine kept a clean sheet adeptly. When the defence lapsed- Rami Hammadeh was there to make the crucial intervention. Al-Fida'i opened the scoring when Mus'ab Al-Battat sent a cross into space from the right side. Although it appeared to be an aimless ball, his Shabab Al-Dhahrieh teammate- Ahmed Maher- made a late run and struck the ball on the volley. It was a fantastic finish for a player who was one of the few bright spots in the senior team matches against Myanmar and Chinese Taipei earlier this month.

Palestine doubled their lead in similar fashion in the second half. A cross from the left this time wasn't cleared properly by the Omani defence and it eventually fell to Hamada Mara'ba. His goal couldn't have been more different than the opener, with the Khader FC youngster taking a couple of touches before cooly slotting it to the keeper's left.

Palestine will play Tajikistan on September 17th at 17:00 Local Time (+9 GMT). A win could clinch a spot in the Round of 16. 

Related Posts: