Palestine Men's Football at the 2018 Asian Games
The Palestine men's national football team participated in the 2018 Asian Games, competing in a tournament marked by both administrative challenges and competitive on-field performances. Placed in Group A, the team navigated a complex qualification process to reach the knockout stages of the event.
Tournament Entry and Draw Controversies
The road to the tournament was fraught with organizational errors. The initial draw for the men's football event took place on July 5, 2018, involving 24 teams divided into four seeding pots. However, this draw had to be scrapped after it was discovered that both Palestine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had been omitted due to mistakes by the game organizers.
Despite the omission, it was confirmed that both football associations had submitted their participation forms correctly and on time. Consequently, the draw was rescheduled and reconfirmed on July 25, 2018, placing Palestine in Group A alongside the hosts, Indonesia. A further redraw occurred on August 3, 2018, following the sudden withdrawal of the Iraq national football team, which necessitated moving either the UAE or Palestine to Group C.
Key Facts
- Final Rank: 11th place.
- Group Stage Performance: Finished 2nd in Group A.
- Head Coach: Ayman Sandouqa.
- Key Result: A notable 2–1 victory over the host nation, Indonesia.
- Knockout Stage: Eliminated in the Round of 16 by Syria.
Squad Composition
The official 20-player roster was announced on August 8, led by head coach Ayman Sandouqa. The squad featured a mix of young talent and experienced players, including designated over-aged players who provided veteran leadership on the pitch.
The team was captained by Abdelatif Bahdari, a defender from Merkaz Balata. Other key members included goalkeeper Ramzi Fakhouri and forwards such as Oday Dabbagh and Mohamed Darwish.
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Full Player Roster
| No. | Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Ramzi Fakhouri | Thaqafi Tulkarm |
| 2 | DF | Ahmed Qatmish | Thaqafi Tulkarm |
| 3 | MF | Mohammed Bassim | Shabab Al-Bireh |
| 4 | DF | Michel Termanini | AFC Eskilstuna |
| 5 | DF | Abdelatif Bahdari (C) | Merkaz Balata |
| 6 | MF | Mohanad Fannoun | Shabab Al-Khalil |
| 7 | MF | Mahmoud Abu Warda | Markaz Balata |
| 9 | FW | Oday Dabbagh | Hilal Al-Quds |
| 10 | FW | Mahmoud Yousef | Shabab Al-Khalil |
| 11 | DF | Omar El-Sherif | Wadi Degla |
| 13 | FW | Shehab Qumbor | Jabal Al-Mukaber |
| 14 | DF | Yousef Al-Ashhab | Shabab Al-Khalil |
| 15 | MF | Hani Abdallah | Hilal Al-Quds |
| 16 | GK | Rami Hamadi | Hilal Al-Quds |
| 18 | FW | Mohammed Obaid | Hilal Al-Quds |
| 19 | MF | Sameh Maraaba | Shabab Al-Khalil |
| 20 | FW | Mohamed Darwish | Arminia Hannover |
| 22 | GK | Naim Abuaker | Ahli Al-Khaleel |
| 17 | DF | Mousa Farawi | Hilal Al-Quds |
| 23 | DF | Mohammed Khalil | Hilal Ariha |
Tournament Progress and Results
Group A Stage
Palestine delivered a strong performance in the group stage, securing second place behind Indonesia. They remained undefeated in their first three matches, including a scoreless draw against Chinese Taipei and a 2–1 win over Laos, with goals from Shehab Qumbor and Abdelatif Bahdari.
One of the highlights of the group stage was a 2–1 victory over the host nation, Indonesia. Oday Dabbagh and Mohamed Darwish scored the goals to secure the win. The group stage concluded with a 1–1 draw against Hong Kong.
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Round of 16
After advancing from the group stage, Palestine faced Syria in the Round of 16. Despite their momentum, they were unable to find the back of the net and lost 0–1 following a goal by Syria's Ashkar in the 73rd minute. This result ended Palestine's run in the tournament, leaving them with an overall rank of 11th.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which group did Palestine compete in during the 2018 Asian Games?
Palestine competed in Group A, alongside Indonesia, Hong Kong, Laos, and Chinese Taipei.
Why was the tournament draw rescheduled?
The initial draw was scrapped because the organizers mistakenly omitted Palestine and the United Arab Emirates, despite both teams having submitted their participation forms on time.
Who was the head coach of the Palestine squad?
The team was led by head coach Ayman Sandouqa.
What was Palestine's final ranking in the tournament?
Palestine finished the tournament ranked 11th after being eliminated in the Round of 16.
Who did Palestine play in the Round of 16?
Palestine played against Syria in the Round of 16, losing the match 0–1.