Palestine and Syria advance to the Arab Cup quarter-finals after a 0-0 draw, with celebrations heightened by recent conflicts in their homelands
DOHA: Celebrations erupted on the pitch and in the stands in Doha on Sunday as Palestine and Syria advanced to the Arab Cup quarter-finals following a 0-0 draw.
For both sides, reaching the knockout stage was magnified by the recent memory of conflict in their homelands.
Only weeks ago in Gaza, the war sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel halted under a fragile US-brokered ceasefire plan.
For Syria, the game came on the eve of the anniversary of the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, who unleashed years of war by cracking down on protests.
Both nations knew a draw in their final Group A match would secure Palestine top spot with Syria progressing in second place.
Around 40,000 fans at the Education City Stadium began dancing and chanting before the final whistle to celebrate entry into the last eight.
Players swapped jerseys and posed for photographs together after the game, while the squads’ coaches embraced.
“We are very happy to top the group, which included two great teams like Qatar and Tunisia, and we congratulate all Palestinian fans,” said Palestine striker Oday Dabbagh.
“We played to win, especially after learning about Tunisia’s lead over Qatar, but we lacked the final touch in front of the goal… The most important thing is that we qualified.”
Palestine coach Ehab Abu Jazar paid tribute to his mother, who had to flee her home and now lives in a tent in Gaza.
“She has a lot of experience with sports, and she told me to play carefully,” he told AFP.
Syrian striker Mahmoud al-Mawas said the result “means a lot to Syrians because it coincides with the Liberation Day celebrations.”
“Now, all our focus will be on the quarter-final.”
In a Damascus cafe, 30-year-old Wafa Durri watched the game with her country’s flag on her cheek.
“I had never supported the national team, but after the liberation everything changed, and now I support it with all my heart,” she said. – AFP
