Palestine loses to Iran but wins hearts on 'special night' at Asian Cup | AFC Asian Cup News

Education City Stadium, Qatar – In the end, Palestine lost to Iran on the field, but the team and the Palestinian people won thousands of hearts in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup at the Education City Stadium in Qatar.

The 4-1 scoreline in favor of Iran was quite reflective of the possession and dominance the Asian power enjoyed in the Group C match on Sunday night, but it doesn't tell the story of a crowd united behind Palestine in the middle of the Israel's devastating war in Gaza.

From the moment the stadium doors opened to the public, Palestine had some form of representation among the crowd that entered the venue in Al Rayyan, on the outskirts of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

Fans from dozens of different nationalities who call Qatar home came dressed in Palestinian t-shirts or wrapped in their flag and keffiyehs.

They danced to “Dammi Falastini” as the popular unofficial Palestinian anthem was played outside the stadium and watched in awe as a Palestinian dabke group performed on a stage outside the turnstiles.

As fans soaked in the atmosphere, two Palestinian sisters whose family hails from Gaza admitted it was an emotional night 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 homeland [Gaza]. “It’s unfair and upsetting because wherever we go, we never feel at home.”

'Special night'

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 night.

Ali Mir, from Iran, arrived with a unique flag: half Iranian and half Palestinian.

“These two countries play a very important game tonight and will be opponents, but in reality they are brothers and fight for peace in the world,” he said.

“So I'm here to support both of you on this special night.”

Emotions were also running high in the stands.

When the national anthems of both countries were played before the start of the match, the Iranian anthem was greeted with a loud rendition by the team's raucous supporters.

And when “Fidai Baladi” played, the Palestinians could not contain their emotions as they sang.

Iranian fan groups loudly supported the Melli team from the stands with drums and large flags.

They had barely begun to warm up when Iran opened the scoring in the second minute.

Palestine found themselves chasing the game throughout the first half, but gave their fans a moment of joy when they scored in the sixth minute of added time.

The crowd erupted in loud applause and chants for the men in red.

The Palestinian team put in a better performance in the second half, but failed to score and instead conceded a fourth goal.

“Gaza is on our minds”

Laith Saleh, a Palestinian who grew up in Jordan after his family fled Ramallah in the early 2000s, was disappointed with the result but said he understood it must not have been easy for Palestinian players to focus on football. while the war in their homeland rages. for the 100th day.

“It's not just about tonight or this match: Gaza is on our minds every moment of every day,” he told Al Jazeera.

“I know how difficult it is for me: I work as a chef and every time I cook a meal from my homeland, I get very excited. And when I sit down to eat, I can't help but think of my brothers and sisters who are dying of hunger in this war.”

Like most displaced Palestinians, he cannot visit his family whenever he wants. He urged the world to do more to help 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 final whistle, some dejected Palestinian players crouched down, but others approached their fans to thank them for their support.

Iran is at the top of the group and with a good chance of advancing to the knockout phase.

Meanwhile, Palestine will have to recover somehow before their second match against the United Arab Emirates.