Palestine Eye ‘Historic’ Win to Keep Asian Cup Hopes Alive

Doha (AFP) – Palestine’s forward, Tamer Seyam, and his teammates are determined to achieve a historic milestone for their country as they face Hong Kong in the Asian Cup. A victory in this crucial match could potentially propel Palestine into the next round and mark their first-ever win in the tournament.

Both Palestine and Hong Kong have struggled to secure a win in the Asian Cup, with Hong Kong playing 12 matches without a victory and Palestine playing eight. However, the upcoming match presents an opportunity for either side to break their winless streak and secure a place in the last 16 in Qatar.

While Palestine faced tough opponents in their early fixtures against Iran and the United Arab Emirates in Group C, they believe this match against Hong Kong provides a real chance for success. The backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Palestinian territory of Gaza adds even more significance to a potential victory for Palestine, resonating strongly with their people.

Tamer Seyam highlighted the importance of this match and expressed his team’s determination to achieve a historic feat for Palestine. He stated, “Our match against Hong Kong won’t be easy, but we are well prepared and we want to make a historic achievement for Palestine.” Seyam scored in Palestine’s opening 4-1 loss to Iran and believes that qualification for the next round will leave a lasting legacy.

Coach Makram Daboub expressed his qualified optimism, believing that his side can triumph over the team from southern China, who have yet to secure a point in the tournament. Daboub stated his confidence in the players and emphasized that replicating their performance against the UAE could lead to victory. He also added that the team wants to win for the Palestinian people, who deserve happiness and success.

Daboub’s counterpart, Jorn Andersen, has acknowledged the extra motivation for Palestine but believes Hong Kong has the opportunity to create history of their own. He emphasized that securing a place in the final round and being among the 16 best teams in Asia would bring pride to all of Hong Kong. Andersen expressed his team’s commitment to giving their all and making their country proud.

As the match approaches, all eyes will be on Palestine and Hong Kong as they vie for a much-needed victory. The potential triumph for Palestine holds deep significance, not just on the football field but for the Palestinian people. Conversely, Hong Kong sees this as an opportunity to make their mark and create history within their own ranks. The clash promises to be intense, with both teams giving their all to keep their Asian Cup dreams alive.