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| 14 July 2008 |
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Hamza to lead Palestinian charge
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| Jordanian Izzat Hamza will coach Palestine in next month’s West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship after the Jordan Football Association |
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| 2 July 2008 |
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Champions open against Palestine
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| Iran will begin the defence of their WAFF (West Asian Football Federation) Championship title against Palestine after Tuesday’s draw placed the |
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| 24 June 2008 |
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Swerky gives Palestine head-start
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| Palestine have started preparing in earnest under new coach Naeem Swerky for August’s West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship in Iran. |
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| Organisation Structure |
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Football began in Palestine in 1908 and the first football team was formed in Al Rawdha school in Jerusalem. The football boom in Palestine occurred with the occupation of the British forces. In 1928, the Palestine Football Federation (PFF) was established and they joined FIFA the following year. In the 1934 World Cup qualifiers, they were beaten over two legs by Egypt, losing 1-7 and 1-4 in Cairo and Jerusalem respectively. By playing in that qualifier, they had the distinction of becoming the first Asian team in the World Cup. As a result, more new players and clubs emerge in Palestine. They hosted many friendly matches and tournaments all over Palestine. However, the football interest was short-lived with the occupation of the Israelite forces which hampered the burgeoning development of football there. Some players stayed behind while the rest left the country. Football were then developed in places which was not occupied by Israel forces and also, by Palestinian migrants overseas. However, disaster struck again when in 1967, war broke out in which Israel took full control over Palestine lands. Between 1967 and 1973, there was no football there. When the Palestinian leadership resumed in the country in the year 1994, it heralds a new era for football at the international and regional level. However, the struggle continues as Palestine is still trying to revive a proper league which will allow them to participate more competitively in international tournaments organised by the AFC.
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