Palestine's Asian Cup Journey Concludes With Defeat to Qatar

In a tense match at Al Bayt Stadium on Monday, defending champions Qatar overcame a scare to secure a 2-1 victory against Palestine, advancing to the Asian Cup quarter-finals.

Despite Qatar being favored at home with nearly 64,000 fans, Palestine's industrious performance in the first half saw them take the lead in the 37th minute.

Oday Dabbagh capitalized on a stolen ball, embarking on a solo run and slotting it past keeper Meshaal Barsham, marking Palestine's first-ever knockout stage goal.

However, Qatar's captain, Hassan Al-Haydos, equalized just before halftime, connecting with Akram Afif's low cross from a corner. Qatar seized the lead early in the second half when Afif converted a penalty following a late tackle on Almoez Ali.

Despite Palestine's attempts to level the score, Qatar held firm. The defending champions now progress to the quarter-finals at Al Bayt, where they will face either Uzbekistan or Thailand.

The match showcased Palestine's resilience and Qatar's ability to overcome challenges, setting the stage for an intriguing journey in the later stages of the Asian Cup.