Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby

Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby
Palestine’s goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh also excelled but is one of a number of free agents in the squad. The lack of game time for some makes the result in Seoul even more impressive. (AFP)
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Updated 09 September 2024
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Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby

Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby

LONDON: It is possible that the winner of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between Palestine and Jordan in Kuala Lumpur will go top of Group B, with two games gone and eight games to go. 

Given that Asia has eight automatic places at the 2026 tournament, twice as many as in 2022 and there are just 18 teams in the third round of qualification, it is not inconceivable that Palestine could make it all the way.

Such a thought would have been dismissed out of hand even a year ago, but no longer. It’s still unlikely, but not impossible. Just finishing fourth in the six-team group keeps the dream alive and after a 0-0 draw in their, on paper, toughest game of the 10, there is a growing belief.

After all, if you can hold the star-studded South Koreans — Asia’s most successful World Cup team with 11 appearances — to a draw in Seoul in front of 60,000 fans then Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Jordan should not hold any fears. Indeed, a great result could have become spectacular had Wessam Abou Ali’s injury-time shot from a one-on-one not been saved by Jo Hyun-woo.

Palestine’s goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh also excelled but is one of a number of free agents in the squad. The lack of game time for some makes the result in Seoul even more impressive.

Due to the ongoing destruction in Gaza and elsewhere, there is no football in Palestine and no league. There was never really any question of hosting World Cup qualifiers on home soil. Israeli bombs are still falling, people are still dying and stadiums have been destroyed.

Facing Jordan in Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem would have been unforgettable in terms of occasion, meaning and atmosphere. The clash in Malaysia won’t feel the same in that regard, but what does not change is the game’s importance. 

“Qualifying for the World Cup is a dream for every player or coach, but for Palestine it means a lot,” Palestine coach Makram Daboub told Arab News. “It will be a message to the whole world that despite the pain, there is always hope and there are people who deserve freedom and deserve a better life.”

This is a real rivalry heightened by the millions of Palestinians who live in Jordan. It has, however, been a little one-sided on the pitch. It is 48 years since Palestine beat Jordan, a 2-1 win in the Pan Arab Games. Since that 1976 clash, the men from Amman have been on top. 

The most painful defeat was a 5-1 thrashing at the 2015 Asian Cup, Palestine’s first appearance on the continental stage. There was a goalless draw when they met again four years later but, at the 2021 Arab Cup, Jordan won by the same scoreline.

Palestine have improved since. The mature, organised, hard-working and increasingly confident performance in Seoul showed that.

“We knew that it would not be an easy game and that is exactly what happened,” said Son Heung-min, Asia’s biggest star and captain of Tottenham Hotspur. “We had the chances to win the game and should have won but they were tough opposition.”

Just hours later Jordan slipped up, drawing 1-1 with Kuwait at home. Hosting the lowest-ranked of all the 18 teams — 136th in the world — should have been a comfortable three points for the home team. As Palestine drew what was, on paper, their toughest game, Jordan drew with, in theory, their easiest. It adds a little extra spice.

Just seven months ago, Jordan were in the Asian Cup final after defeating, and outclassing, South Korea 2-0 in the last four. The departure of coach Hussein Ammouta was a blow and the draw with Kuwait will heighten concerns that while new coach Jamal Sellami may share the same Moroccan passport as his predecessor, delivering the same success is far from certain.

The injury picked up by one of the stars of the Asian Cup, Musa Al-Tamari, has added to the gloom. The Montpellier attacker scored early against Kuwait but was unable to finish the game.

This may be a good time for Palestine to play their neighbours, who are suddenly without their star player and talismanic coach. They are also in need of points, so the pressure is on. After reaching the final at the Asian Cup, it was expected that Jordan would battle with Iraq for the second automatic spot behind South Korea. That may still happen, but last Thursday’s results have put a little doubt in the minds of everyone.

There is no doubt, however, that with the expanded World Cup, a couple of wins early in the third round could make a huge difference.

“Our goal is to be among the first four teams in the group, and we are capable of that and our chance exists,” Daboub said. “We have a good team.”

 


Classy Japan put a dent in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes

Classy Japan put a dent in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes
Updated 11 October 2024
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Classy Japan put a dent in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes

Classy Japan put a dent in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hopes
  • The Japanese lead Group C in the 3rd round of the qualifiers and are the only team out of 18 with full points after 3 games
  • The Saudis are level with Australia and Bahrain on 4 points, followed by Indonesia on 3 and China on zero

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia lost 2-0 to Japan in Jeddah on Thursday, their first defeat in the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Japan had scored 12 goals without reply in their opening two games in the group, and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada gave them an early lead in this one. The home team, roared on by a passionate crowd of more than 56,000 at King Abdullah Sports City, did their best to get back on level terms but it was beyond them, and a late goal from Koki Ogawa sealed the win for the Samurai Blue.

The focus of the Green Falcons now switches to Tuesday’s clash with Bahrain at the same stadium and it could prove to be a very important one.

Japan lead Group C and are the only team out 18 in the three groups with a maximum 9 points after three games. The Saudis are level with Australia and Bahrain on 4 points, one more than fifth-place Indonesia. China are bottom of the group after three straight defeats. The top two from each of the three groups qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams that finish third and fourth advance to a fourth round of qualification.

Already trailing Japan by 5 points, Saudi Arabia are now, as many suspected would be the case, most probably fighting for the second automatic qualification spot. It is shaping up to be an intense battle that will be far from easy for a team that has yet to score a goal from open play in more 270 minutes of third-round action. This lack of a creative spark going forward is sure to be a concern for coach Roberto Mancini.

There were few surprises in the Italian’s squad on Thursday, with Firas Al-Buraikan starting up front and Ahmed Al-Kassar stepping in to pull on the goalkeeping gloves in place of injured Mohammed Al-Owais.

Japan looked lively from the off but Mancini will surely consider the opening goal, which came after 14 minutes, to have been cheaply conceded. Ritsu Doan crossed from the right, Kaoru Mitoma knocked the ball into the middle, it was headed toward goal by Hidemasi Morita, and Kamada was able to nip in front of Abdulelah Al-Malki and stab it home from close range.

It was the first goal Japan had ever scored in the Kingdom and the threats kept coming. Soon after, Ayase Ueda shot just wide, while the Saudis just could not get going in the face of the impressive visitors.

The Green Falcons did manage a flurry of shots just before the half-hour mark but all were blocked by the men in white. Soon after, some crosses into the area caused a few problems for Japan, perhaps not surprisingly given that both Saudi goals in last month’s 2-1 win in China came from corners, as did the goal in their 1-1 draw with Indonesia five days earlier.

The home side seemed like they might finally be getting on top, and their first shot on target came just three minutes before the break. Salem Al-Dawsari ran at the defense and the ball spilled to the right, where a fierce shot from Saud Abdulhamid looked destined for the top corner but was pushed over by the suddenly under pressure Zion Suzuki.

Japan remained dangerous on the break, however, and after a smart turn outside the area Ueda’s shot was well-saved by Al-Kassar in what was the last action of the first half.

Mancini brought on Al-Itthad’s Saleh Al-Shehri for the restart, in the hope that the forward might make something happen in front of goal. But Japan remained disciplined and well-organized and it was difficult to create clear chances.

The Saudis were similarly making it hard for Japan to create openings and so it looked increasingly likely that if there was to be another goal it would come from a set piece. This proved to be the case and when Ogawa, who had only been on the pitch for five minutes, headed home powerfully from a corner with nine minutes remaining, it was as good as game over.

There was no coming back from that, although Al-Shehri did have the hosts’ best chance of the game in the 89th minute when he headed just over from close range.

There is now a lot of work for Mancini and his players to do if they are going to qualify automatically for a seventh World Cup finals.


Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw

Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw
Updated 11 October 2024
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Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw

Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw
  • The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Junior’s team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying

SAO PAULO: An 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique gave Brazil a 2-1 away win over Chile on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Junior’s team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying.

Earlier, Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew with Venezuela 1-1 in a match that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.

Argentina, who lead the 10-team competition, have 19 points after nine matches. Colombia, with 16 points, remain in second place after losing 1-0 at Bolivia. Uruguay are third with 15 points and have a chance to add more in a match against Peru on Friday. Brazil have 13 points.

Argentina’s lead in the competition could be reduced on Friday if Uruguay win at Peru.

Brazil in dramatic comeback

Chile, one of the worst-performing teams in South American qualifying, opened the scoring seconds after the kickoff at the National Stadium in Santiago. Veteran striker Eduardo Vargas headed past goalkeeper Ederson, with the ball gently touching the back of the net.

Brazil struggled to create clear chances, but managed to equalize in added time with a header by their new striker, Igor Jesus. The visitors kept most of the ball possession in the second half, but still failed to get clear chances.

Only in the final minutes, Henrique decided to take his chances from the edge of the box. The winning goal made several Chile players throw themselves to the ground in anguish.

Brazil’s next match will be against Peru in Brasilia. Chile will travel to Colombia.

“This shirt means a lot. It is a great feeling for us to wear it. We know what is happening, but we wanted to change it,” said Henrique. ”Our fans can be sure we will fight always for this team. We are the only five-time World Cup champions, we will play with passion.”

Messi returns for Argentina

Defender Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 13th minute. He pushed the ball to the empty net after a cross by Messi and a mistake by goalkeeper Rafael Romo.

Salomon Rondón equalized in the 65th minute with a header for the only South American team that has yet to play in a World Cup.

“The pitch did not help us do what we wanted to do,” said Messi, who returned to the national team after missing the two previous rounds of South American qualifying due to ligament damage in his right ankle.

Venezuela defender Jon Aramburu said his team wanted a win to show its ambition.

“The rain affected the match, we couldn’t play well,” he said. “We drew against a team that everyone knows of its potential. But this team is here to beat them, to compete.”

Venezuela’s next match will be at Paraguay on Tuesday, the same day that Argentina will host Bolivia.

Bolivia in the clouds to beat Colombia

Colombia, who had been the last unbeaten team in South American qualifying, were shocked at Bolivia in the Municipal Stadium in the city of El Alto, more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Bolivia moved into fifth place with 12 points after its first win in 21 years against the Colombians.

Miguel Terceros, also known as Miguelito, scored the winning goal for Bolivia in the 58th minute with a powerful shot after dribbling through two defenders.

Bolivia had lost Hector Cuellar to a straight red card in the 21st minute after a gruesome tackle that forced the substitution of striker Roger Martinez, but the team remained competitive until the end of the match in its high-altitude stadium.

“We are a young team that wants to change history,” Terceros said. “Now we will travel to Argentina thinking about winning.”

Bolivia hasn’t qualified for a World Cup edition since the 1994 edition in the United States.

Also on Thursday, Ecuador and Paraguay drew 0-0.

The Ecuadorians are in fourth place with 12 points and ahead of Bolivia on goal difference. Paraguay is in eighth place and out of an automatic qualifying spot with 10 points.


Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw

Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw
Updated 11 October 2024
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Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw

Brazil snatch away win over Chile in World Cup qualifying, Messi’s Argentina draw
  • The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Junior’s team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying
  • Argentina, who lead the 10-team competition, have 19 points after nine matches

SAO PAULO: An 89th-minute goal by substitute Luiz Henrique gave Brazil a 2-1 away win over Chile on Thursday in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match.

The win meant under-pressure Brazil coach Dorival Junior’s team will finish the ninth round of the round-robin competition in fourth place in South American qualifying.

Earlier, Lionel Messi’s Argentina drew with Venezuela 1-1 in a match that was delayed for 30 minutes due to a wet pitch at Monumental Stadium in the Venezuelan city of Maturin.

Argentina, who lead the 10-team competition, have 19 points after nine matches. Colombia, with 16 points, remain in second place after losing 1-0 at Bolivia. Uruguay are third with 15 points and have a chance to add more in a match against Peru on Friday. Brazil have 13 points.

Argentina’s lead in the competition could be reduced on Friday if Uruguay win at Peru.

Brazil in dramatic comeback

Chile, one of the worst-performing teams in South American qualifying, opened the scoring seconds after the kickoff at the National Stadium in Santiago. Veteran striker Eduardo Vargas headed past goalkeeper Ederson, with the ball gently touching the back of the net.

Brazil struggled to create clear chances, but managed to equalize in added time with a header by their new striker, Igor Jesus. The visitors kept most of the ball possession in the second half, but still failed to get clear chances.

Only in the final minutes, Henrique decided to take his chances from the edge of the box. The winning goal made several Chile players throw themselves to the ground in anguish.

Brazil’s next match will be against Peru in Brasilia. Chile will travel to Colombia.

“This shirt means a lot. It is a great feeling for us to wear it. We know what is happening, but we wanted to change it,” said Henrique. ”Our fans can be sure we will fight always for this team. We are the only five-time World Cup champions, we will play with passion.”

Messi returns for Argentina

Defender Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 13th minute. He pushed the ball to the empty net after a cross by Messi and a mistake by goalkeeper Rafael Romo.

Salomon Rondón equalized in the 65th minute with a header for the only South American team that has yet to play in a World Cup.

“The pitch did not help us do what we wanted to do,” said Messi, who returned to the national team after missing the two previous rounds of South American qualifying due to ligament damage in his right ankle.

Venezuela defender Jon Aramburu said his team wanted a win to show its ambition.

“The rain affected the match, we couldn’t play well,” he said. “We drew against a team that everyone knows of its potential. But this team is here to beat them, to compete.”

Venezuela’s next match will be at Paraguay on Tuesday, the same day that Argentina will host Bolivia.

Bolivia in the clouds to beat Colombia

Colombia, who had been the last unbeaten team in South American qualifying, were shocked at Bolivia in the Municipal Stadium in the city of El Alto, more than 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level. Bolivia moved into fifth place with 12 points after its first win in 21 years against the Colombians.

Miguel Terceros, also known as Miguelito, scored the winning goal for Bolivia in the 58th minute with a powerful shot after dribbling through two defenders.

Bolivia had lost Hector Cuellar to a straight red card in the 21st minute after a gruesome tackle that forced the substitution of striker Roger Martinez, but the team remained competitive until the end of the match in its high-altitude stadium.

“We are a young team that wants to change history,” Terceros said. “Now we will travel to Argentina thinking about winning.”

Bolivia hasn’t qualified for a World Cup edition since the 1994 edition in the United States.

Also on Thursday, Ecuador and Paraguay drew 0-0.

The Ecuadorians are in fourth place with 12 points and ahead of Bolivia on goal difference. Paraguay is in eighth place and out of an automatic qualifying spot with 10 points.


West Indies beat Bangladesh to stay in Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals race

West Indies beat Bangladesh to stay in Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals race
Updated 11 October 2024
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West Indies beat Bangladesh to stay in Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals race

West Indies beat Bangladesh to stay in Women’s T20 World Cup semifinals race
  • Off-spinner Karishma Ramharack’s spell restricted Bangladesh to 103-8
  • West Indies moved atop Group B with their second win in three games

SHARJAH: Off-spinner Karishma Ramharack took 4-17 as West Indies beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.

Ramharack’s spell restricted Bangladesh to 103-8. Skipper Hayley Matthews led the chase with 34 off 22 balls, hitting six boundaries, to help her side score 104-2 in 12.5 overs and boost their hopes of reaching the semifinals.

West Indies moved atop Group B with their second win in three games. They could still need another win in their final group game against England to qualify for the semis.

England have a game in hand; Scotland on Sunday, then West Indies on Tuesday.

Second-placed South Africa also need a win in their last group game against Bangladesh on Saturday to advance.

Tournament host Bangladesh have lost all three of their games.

Ramharack was in action early, and Bangladesh opener Shathi Rani was stumped for 9 and Dilara Akter was bowled on 19.

Shobana Mostary (16) revived the innings in a 40-run partnership with skipper Nigar Sultana, who top-scored with 39 off 44 balls.

Ramharack again provided the breakthrough, with Mostary stumped in the 13th over.

Bangladesh slumped, and leg-spinner Afy Fletcher took 2-25.

Sultana hit four fours but couldn’t generate any more momentum with the lower middle order, and Bangladesh had to settle for a below-par total despite a slow Sharjah track.

In reply, Matthews brought her power game in 52 off 45 balls for the first wicket with Stafanie Taylor.

Matthews provided the punchy start before she was bowled in the eighth over.

Taylor scored 27 off 29 balls, including three fours, before retiring hurt. It didn’t slow West Indies, however, as Shemaine Campbelle scored 21 off 16 balls and Deandra Dottin smacked an unbeaten 19 off seven balls, including two sixes.


England lose to Greece as Carsley experiment backfires and France win without Mbappe

England lose to Greece as Carsley experiment backfires and France win without Mbappe
Updated 11 October 2024
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England lose to Greece as Carsley experiment backfires and France win without Mbappe

England lose to Greece as Carsley experiment backfires and France win without Mbappe
  • It was England’s first loss to Greece, who are ranked No. 48 in the world ranking, in 10 matches between the teams
  • Erling Haaland became Norway’s record scorer at the age of 24 with a double in his country’s 3-0 win over Slovakia

Lee Carsley ran into the first problems of his tenure as England’s interim coach after a bold team selection backfired in a 2-1 home loss to Greece in the Nations League on Thursday.

Erling Haaland became Norway’s record scorer at the age of 24 with a double in his country’s 3-0 win over Slovakia, while France — playing without Kylian Mbappé and the retired Antoine Griezmann — still had far too much for Israel in a 4-1 victory.

After leading England to back-to-back victories since becoming temporary coach after the European Championship, Carsley felt emboldened enough to field a team without a recognized striker in the absence of injured captain Harry Kane.

The lineup looked interesting and exciting on paper but resembled a mess on the field as Greece repeatedly picked off England and got in behind a stretched defense.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored the opener for the visitors at Wembley Stadium in the 49th, Jude Bellingham equalized in the 87th, only for Pavlidis to take advantage of more sloppy defending to grab Greece’s winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Greece’s players, who also had three goals disallowed in the game, celebrated one of their most famous wins by gathering together and holding up the No. 2 jersey of George Baldock, the Panathinaikos defender who was found dead in his Athens home on Wednesday at age 31. Baldock played 12 matches for Greece and there was a period of silence in tribute to the right back ahead of the game, with players wearing black armbands.

“We gave everything for him,” Pavlidis said in a tribute to Baldock, who he described as a “special guy.”

It was England’s first loss to Greece, who are ranked No. 48 in the world ranking, in 10 matches between the teams and deals a major blow to Carsley’s hopes of becoming coach of the national team on a permanent basis.

It was meant to be fluid set-up, with in-form Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer starting a competitive international for the first time for England and deployed in central midfield, with Phil Foden and Bellingham splitting time as the furthest player forward in an attack filled with midfielders.

It didn’t work.

“We never really gave ourselves a chance to see whether it was the right decision or wrong,” said Carsley, who insisted it was not an “experiment.”

“With the players we’ve got, we’ve got to be courageous at times with our systems and be creative. I thought it was important to try something different. I never at any point thought I’ve got it cracked. It was a case of, let’s try something different.”

Haaland’s record

Haaland scored twice to move onto 34 goals for Norway, one more than the previous record-holder Jorgen Juve from the 1930s.

Haaland, who has already scored 11 goals for Manchester City this season in all competitions, was captaining Norway for the first time in his 36th international appearance.

Alexander Sorloth also scored for Norway.

Coping without Mbappe

Mbappe wasn’t called up by France because of a minor injury, even though he has since played for Real Madrid, while the surprise retirement of Griezmann — a stalwart for coach Didier Deschamps for the past decade — gave it the feel of a new era for Les Bleus.

Goals by Matteo Guendouzi in the 87th and Bradley Barcola in the 89th wrapped up France’s win against Israel, after Eduardo Camavinga and Christopher Nkunku netted in the first half.

The game was played in Budapest, with Israeli teams having played home matches in neutral countries such as Hungary and Cyprus for security reasons since the Hamas attacks one year ago.

Red card

Italy forward Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card proved decisive as his team squandered a two-goal lead and drew with Belgium 2-2 in Rome.

Italy went in front after barely 60 seconds, through right wing back Andrea Cambiaso, and striker Mateo Retegui made it 2-0 in the 24th.

Pellegrini was sent off for a foul on Arthur Theate that initially earned him a booking but was upgraded to a red card in the 40th after a VAR review.

From the resulting free kick, Maxim De Cuyper tucked away a fine finish from a well-worked move and Leandro Trossard equalized in the 61st.