Palestine increases its Asian Cup elimination hopes after drawing with the United Arab Emirates | AFC Asian Cup News

Al Wakrah, Qatar – It was a night to remember at Al Janoub Stadium, a night that belonged to Palestine, regardless of the result on the field.

The crowd noise, the flags and the numbers were in favor of the team that came into the match with a defeat in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and a relentless war against its people.

The riotous display of love and support for the war-torn nation began before kick-off, increased as the night progressed and calmed down only when the last group of fans left the stadium at the end of Palestine's Group C match against the United Arab Emirates. (UAE) in Al Wakrah on Thursday night.

The chants of “Free, Free Palestine” rose to a crescendo as the players emerged from the tunnel and onto the field. The Palestinian players greeted the crowd with waves and applause before gathering as a group.

“The players will feel a sense of responsibility tonight; they must be aware that they carry the hopes of a nation at war,” Mariana al-Hindi, a Palestinian living in Qatar, told Al Jazeera before the start of the match.

“They'll want to make everyone smile if they do well tonight,” she said as she approached the turnstiles with her husband and daughter.

“As Palestinians, we are happy to see our country represented and recognized at a great event, but at the same time, we are heartbroken by the situation in Gaza,” said Abdullah, her husband.

Once the match began, the men in red were greeted by a roaring crowd.

Every touch of the ball by a Palestinian player was applauded and every time the UAE maintained possession, the unabashedly partisan crowd booed loudly.

Palestine enjoyed some early possession, but the UAE soon picked up pace and began attacking the Palestinian goal. Their efforts paid off in the 23rd minute, when Sultan Adil scored with a free header. The stadium was silent for a moment until a small contingent of Emirati fans began chanting.

Undeterred, the rest of the crowd rose again and urged the Palestinian team to press for a goal and when Oday Dabbagh was brought down in the UAE box 12 minutes later, the crowd jumped to their feet. and pointed to the penalty spot.

The referee's dismissal of the appeals did not go down well with the crowd, who asked him to undergo a VAR review.

When Palestine was subsequently awarded a penalty and Khalifa al-Hammadi received a red card, the stadium rose to applaud the decision.

Tamer Sayem failed to convert the penalty and the first half ended with the UAE still in the lead.

There was no let-up in the cheering during halftime, especially when the intro to the song Dammi Filastini (My Blood is Palestine) blared over the public address system.

The crowd was dancing and singing to the chorus: they were all Palestinians for one night.

When play resumed, Palestine looked to take control of the game with early pressure and it paid off when the UAE scored an own goal in the 48th minute.

Palestine didn't care how the goal came about: they ran down the field delighted. Chaos reigned in the stands. Children jumped on the seats, women hugged each other, and men let tears flow when the ball went in.

“These players have been through a lot, all Palestinians have been through a lot, so this was a very special moment,” Yassine Abdullah, a Palestinian student, said moments after the goal.

“Everyone saw what hard work, inspiration and support did for Morocco at the World Cup. We hope this match can do the same for our team,” he said as Palestine pushed to score the second goal.

“We could be the Morocco of this tournament.”

Despite their relentless attacks, the 10-man UAE team kept Palestine at bay and held on for a 1-1 draw.

At the final whistle, the Palestinian players walked around the field to applaud their fans for the electric atmosphere that kept them going until the end.

Assad Qusais, who watched the match with his family, said the men in red may have done enough to keep some hope alive.

“It depends on whether they play against Hong Kong. [in the last group match] but we can still become one of the best third-place finishers,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Abdullah, who compared the support Palestine enjoys to the support Morocco enjoyed at the World Cup, said he would love for his team to replicate a similar run.

The continental tournament and the match may not have the weight of a World Cup, but the night meant a lot to the passionate Palestinian fans.