Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dili: A last gasp Ahmed Abunahia goal helped Palestine secure a dramatic 1-1 draw with Timor-Leste in the last round of 2018 FIFA World Cup/2019 AFC Asian Cup joint-qualifying matches on Thursday.
Abunahia’s 92nd minute goal saw third-placed Palestine secure their fifth point of the campaign, although they will no doubt be ruing what could have been after failing to secure the win that would have closed the gap further on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates who currently lead the way in Group A.
With genuine goalscoring opportunities few and far between early on, it was Palestine who came closest to breaking the deadlock when captain Khader Abuhammad rattled the Timor-Leste bar with a fine effort from distance midway through the first half.
Timor-Leste were not to be outdone however, and duly went ahead on 54 minutes courtesy of defender Ramon Saro who made the most of hesitancy in the Palestinian defence to head home from close range much to the delight of the home crowd.
As the visitors pushed forward looking for an eqauliser, Imad Zaatara lashed a shot wide when well placed, before Matias Hadar had a header comfortably saved by Timor-Leste goalkeeper Ramos Maxanches.
After Timor-Leste substitute Jairo Palme had blasted into the side-netting, Palestine finally secured a share of the spoils when Abunahia expertly drilled the ball home with full-time beckoning.
The group winners and four best runners-up (total 12 teams) will advance to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals and the final round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The next best 24 teams from the preliminary stage of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining slots (12 slots or 11 slots + 1 slot for the host) in the 24-team 2019 Asian Cup.
NEXT FIXTURES:
October 13: Timor-Leste v Malaysia
November 12: Palestine v Malaysia
Photo: AFP