Global Courant
Education City Stadium, Qatar – Ultimately, Palestine lost on the field to Iran, but the team and the Palestinian people won thousands of hearts in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup at Education City Stadium in Qatar.
The 4-1 scoreline in Iran’s favor fairly reflected the possession and dominance the Asian powerhouse enjoyed in Sunday night’s Group C match, but does not tell the story of a crowd uniting behind Palestine amid Israel’s devastating war against Gaza.
From the moment the stadium gates opened to the public, Palestine had some form of representation in the crowd that poured into the venue in Al Rayyan, on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Fans of dozens of different nationalities who call Qatar home came dressed in Palestinian shirts or draped with the flag and keffiyehs.
They danced to “Dammi Falasteeni” as the popular unofficial Palestinian anthem played outside the stadium and watched in awe as a Palestinian dabke group performed on a stage outside the turnstiles.
As fans soaked up the atmosphere, two Palestinian sisters, whose family are from Gaza, admitted it was an emotional evening for them.
“The show of support we have seen here makes us feel recognized,” they told Al Jazeera, requesting anonymity.
“We have never been able to travel to our country of birth (Gaza) – it is unfair and disturbing because wherever we go, it never feels like home.”
Palestinian fans in the stands during the match (Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera)
‘Special evening’
Despite the importance of the match – in a group that also includes Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates – Iranian fans recognized the emotional importance of the evening.
Ali Mir, from Iran, arrived with a unique flag: half Iranian and half Palestinian.
“These two countries are playing a very important match tonight and will be opponents, but in reality they are brothers and they strive for peace in the world,” he said.
“So I’m here to support both on this special evening.”
Ali Mir, a fan outside Education City Stadium ahead of the match (Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera)
Emotions also ran high in the stands.
When the national anthems of both countries were played before kick-off, the Iranian national anthem was received with a loud rendition by their raucous supporters.
And when ‘Fidai Baladi’ sounded, Palestinians couldn’t contain their emotions as they sang along.
Iranian fan groups loudly supported Team Melli from the stands with drums and large flags.
They had barely started the warm-up when Iran opened the scoring in the second minute.
Palestine chased the match for the entire first half, but gave their fans a moment of joy when they scored in the sixth minute of extra time.
The crowd erupted into loud cheers and sang for the men in red.
The Palestinian team showed a better performance in the second half, but could not score and instead conceded a fourth goal.
Palestine fans cheer at the Education City Stadium as their team pulled a goal back (Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera)
‘Gaza is in our thoughts’
Laith Saleh, a Palestinian who grew up in Jordan after his family fled Ramallah in the early 2000s, was disappointed with the outcome but said he understood that it must not have been easy to focus on football with war raging in their home country continues. 100th day.
“It’s not just about tonight or this match – Gaza is in our thoughts every moment of the day,” he told Al Jazeera.
“I know how difficult it is – I work as a chef and every time I cook a meal from my home country I get very emotional. And when I sit down to eat, I can’t help but think of my brothers and sisters who are starving in this war.”
Like most displaced Palestinians, he cannot visit his family back home whenever he wants. He urged the world to do more to end the war.
“It’s been going on for 100 years, not days – and the whole world hasn’t been able to stop it,” he said with a shrug.
After the whistle, some dejected Palestinian players crouched down, but others walked to their fans to show their support.
Iran are at the top of the group and have a good chance of advancing to the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Palestine will have to somehow pick themselves up ahead of their second match against the UAE.
