'We have lost many players' - Palestine international opens up to Everton legend Neville Southall
Everton legend Neville Southall has been learning about the positive message that the freedom of playing football can bring in difficult times by speaking to a footballer representing Palestine in the AFC Asian Cup.
Although his homeland is currently embroiled in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mohammed Rashid is looking forward to taking to the field at 8:30pm UK time tomorrow in Palestine’s opening fixture against Iran at the Education City Stadium, in Al Rayyan, Qatar, which staged six group fixtures and two knockout matches including Croatia’s dramatic quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory over Brazil in the 2022 World Cup finals.
Rashid, who was born in Ramallah, is a 28-year-old defensive midfielder who has been capped 35 times at international level and has scored two goals.
As well as turning out for three Palestinian outfits, his club career has taken the 28-year-old to teams in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia. After plying his trade on a paradise island last year with Bali United – a stark contrast to what is going on back home – he has signed for Negeri Sembilan of the Malaysian Super League for 2024.
The latest 90 Minutes with Neville Southall podcast – which is out on Sunday – features the full poignant conversation between Everton's most-decorated player and Rashid as he learns about the ongoing conflict’s impact on the Palestinian football community but Simon Hart, who joined the pair in their discussion, has kindly provided the ECHO with some extracts.
Neville Southall: I imagine the competition is going to make a difference for the people back home.
Mohammed Rashid: A lot of difference, because they are waiting for joy and happiness and I think winning at least one game in this tournament will
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