International Courant
Al Wakrah, Qatar – It was an evening to recollect at Al Janoub Stadium – an evening that belonged to Palestine, whatever the consequence on the pitch.
The noise, flags and crowd numbers had been all in favor of the group that entered the match with a 2023 AFC Asian Cup loss to its identify and a brutal struggle in opposition to its individuals.
The uninhibited present of affection and assist for the war-stricken nation started earlier than kick-off, elevated because the night time progressed and solely calmed down as soon as the final group of followers had left the stadium on the finish of the Palestinian Group C match in opposition to the United Arab Emirates. (UAE) in Al Wakrah on Thursday night.
The mantra of “Free, Free Palestine” rose in crescendo because the gamers walked out of the tunnel and onto the sector. The Palestinian gamers greeted the group with waves and applause earlier than gathering in a huddle.
“The gamers will really feel a way of accountability tonight – they have to be conscious that they’re cherishing the hopes of a rustic that’s at struggle,” Mariana al-Hindi, a Palestinian resident of Qatar, advised Al Jazeera forward of kick-off.
“They’re going to need to put a smile on everybody’s face by doing effectively tonight,” she mentioned as she walked to the turnstiles together with her husband and daughter.
“As Palestinians, we’re glad that our nation is represented and acknowledged at a significant occasion, however on the similar time we’re heartbroken in regards to the scenario in Gaza,” mentioned Abdullah, her husband.
Mariana al-Hindi, Abdullah and their daughter outdoors the stadium (Hafsa Adil/Al Jazeera)
As soon as the match began, the boys in pink had been cheered on by a roaring crowd.
Each contact of the ball by a Palestinian participant was cheered and each time the UAE had possession the ball was loudly booed by the unabashedly partisan crowd.
Palestine loved early possession, however the UAE quickly acquired right into a rhythm and began attacking the Palestinian objective. Their efforts paid off within the twenty third minute when Sultan Adil scored from a free header. The stadium fell silent for a second till a small contingent of Emirati followers started chanting.
Sultan Adil celebrates his objective for the UAE (Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera)
To not be deterred, the remainder of the group picked up once more and urged the Palestinian group to push for a objective. When Oday Dabbagh was introduced down within the UAE penalty space 12 minutes later, the group jumped to their ft and pointed to the penalty spot.
The referee’s rejection of the objections was not effectively acquired by the group, who pressured him to hold out a VAR examine.
When Palestine was subsequently awarded a penalty and Khalifa al-Hammadi was proven a pink card, the stadium rose to applaud the choice.
Tamer Sayem did not convert from the spot and the primary half ended with the UAE nonetheless forward.
The cheering did not cease at halftime, particularly when the intro to the music Dammi Filastini (My Blood is Palestinian) blared from the PA.
The group stood on their dancing ft and sang alongside to the refrain – for one night time they had been all Palestinian.
Palestinian followers at Al Janoub Stadium (Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera)
When play resumed, Palestine tried to take management of proceedings beneath early strain and it paid off when the UAE scored an personal objective within the forty eighth minute.
Palestine did not care how the objective got here; they ran throughout the sector in delight. There was pandemonium within the stands. Youngsters jumped on the chairs, girls hugged one another and males shed tears because the ball went in.
“These gamers have been by means of rather a lot, all Palestinians have been by means of rather a lot, so this was a really particular second,” mentioned Yassine Abdullah, a Palestinian pupil, shortly after the objective.
“Everybody noticed what exhausting work, inspiration and assist did for Morocco on the World Cup. We hope this match can do the identical for our group,” he mentioned as Palestine pushed for a second objective.
“We could possibly be the Morocco of this event.”
Palestine equalizes by means of personal objective (Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera)
Regardless of their relentless assaults, the 10-man UAE group saved Palestine at bay and held on for a 1-1 draw.
On the whistle, the Palestinian gamers walked throughout the sector to applaud their supporters for the electrical environment that saved them going till the top.
Assad Qusais, who watched the match together with his household, mentioned the boys in pink might have achieved simply sufficient to maintain hope alive.
“It relies upon in the event that they play Hong Kong (within the final group match), however we are able to nonetheless be among the finest third-placed groups,” he mentioned with a shrug.
Abdullah, who in contrast Palestine’s assist to the assist Morocco loved on the World Cup, mentioned he would like to see his group repeat the same run.
The continental event and match might not carry the load of a World Cup, however the night meant every part to the passionate Palestinian supporters.
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