HISTORY MADE! Palestine enter Asian Cup last 16 for first time as China bow out
Palestine reached the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time on Tuesday with their maiden win in the history of the competition, but China's fate was sealed at the first hurdle. Syria also made history by reaching the last 16 in Qatar, with Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates advancing as well on another night of high drama.
Palestine narrowly missed out on second spot in Group C but squeezed through as one of the four best third-placed teams after beating Hong Kong 3-0. The victory in Doha comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Palestinian players and staff have lost loved ones in the conflict and said before the tournament that they hoped to provide some comfort to those suffering back home.
Oday Dabbagh scored once in each half and Zeid Qunbar grabbed another before Palestine were given a late scare when Hong Kong missed a penalty. «Thank you to the fans who are coming to support Palestine,» captain Musab Al-Battat told beIN SPORTS after the game. «Thank you from our heart.»
UAE went through in second place despite losing 2-1 to group winners Iran. Syria also reached the knockout rounds for the first time with a 1-0 win over Igor Stimac's India in Group B. Omar Khribin was Syria's hero, his 76th-minute goal also confirming China's early exit from the competition.
China had hoped to sneak through with their third place and two points in Group A. They failed to score in any of their three matches.
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Australia topped Group B following a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan, with Hector Cuper's Syria progressing with those two teams as one of the best third-placed teams. India
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