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Arnold's half-time pep talk does the trick for Australia

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Arnold's half-time pep talk does the trick for Australia

Canberra: Graham Arnold's half-time pep talk galvanised Australia to a 5-0 win over Lebanon in their FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I clash on Tuesday. 

Despite getting off to a fast start with Kusini Yengi giving them a second minute lead, Australia struggled to put away their chances for the remainder of the first half. 
 
Arnold's intervention at half-time sparked the reaction the head coach wanted, with an own goal doubling their lead two minutes into the restart.
 
Craig Goodwin then struck twice in between John Iredale scoring his first goal for Australia to confirm their place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 ticket. 

Group I: Bangladesh 0-1 Palestine

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Group I: Bangladesh 0-1 Palestine

Dhaka: Michael Termanini’s stoppage time strike earned Palestine a 1-0 win over Bangladesh in their Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ tie on Tuesday.

With Australia already sealing one of the two berths from Group I courtesy of their 5-0 win over Lebanon, the result at Bashundhara Kings Arena sees Palestine open up a five-point gap on Lebanon, who they will meet next on June 6.

Preview - Group I: Lebanon v Australia; Bangladesh v Palestine

Mon, 25 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group I: Lebanon v Australia; Bangladesh v Palestine

Canberra: Lebanon face another tough test when they take on Australia in their Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I tie on Tuesday.

The Cedars sit third in the standings, two points adrift of second-placed Palestine, a 2-0 defeat to Australia last Thursday having followed back-to-back draws.

Australia’s Arnold satisfied; Palestine’s Daboub applauds Dabbagh

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Australia’s Arnold satisfied; Palestine’s Daboub applauds Dabbagh

Sydney: Graham Arnold had mixed emotions after Australia recorded their third straight win in Group I of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, defeating Lebanon 2-0 on Thursday.

Keanu Baccus and Kye Rowles scored for the Socceroos but while the result was pleasing, the performance left much to be desired with Arnold expecting better control of the game when the two teams meet again on Tuesday.

Group I: Palestine 5-0 Bangladesh

Fri, 22 Mar, 2024

Group I: Palestine 5-0 Bangladesh

Kuwait City: Palestine secured their first win of the Preliminary Joint Qualification – Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Group I, defeating Bangladesh 5-0 at Jaber Al Ahmad Stadium on Thursday.

 The win takes Palestine past Lebanon into second place of Group I ahead of the reverse fixture next week in Dhaka where Bangladesh will attempt to get their first win of the campaign.

Preview - Group I: Australia v Lebanon; Palestine v Bangladesh

Wed, 20 Mar, 2024

Preview - Group I: Australia v Lebanon; Palestine v Bangladesh

Sydney: Australia will expect to continue their fine form in the Preliminary Joint Qualification - Round 2 for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when they go toe to toe against Lebanon in Group I on Thursday.

Australia scored seven unanswered goals past Bangladesh on Matchday One before securing a 1-0 away win against Palestine with head coach Graham Arnold naming a well balanced squad for the double header against Lebanon. 

Jordan, Nepal to square off for title

Wed, 28 Feb, 2024

Jordan, Nepal to square off for title

Jeddah: Jordan will take on Nepal in the final of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 after they won their semi-final ties in contrasting fashion on Tuesday.

Defending champions Jordan cruised 5-0 past Palestine while Nepal scored in the fourth minute of second half added time to edge Lebanon 2-1.

Nepal beat Palestine to set up Lebanon semi-final

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024

Nepal beat Palestine to set up Lebanon semi-final

Jeddah: Nepal defeated Palestine 4-0 to finish top of Group B of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 on Saturday.

The South Asian side completed their group stage campaign with a perfect nine points and will face Lebanon in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
 
Palestine, despite the defeat, will play defending champions Jordan in the other last four tie.

Nepal, Palestine through to knockout stage

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Nepal, Palestine through to knockout stage

Jeddah: Nepal and Palestine booked their West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 semi-final spots in contrasting fashions on Thursday.

Nepal cruised to a 5-0 win over Iraq, with Sabitra Bhandari netting all five goals while Palestine defeated Syria 1-0. The two pacesetters meet on Saturday to determine the Group B winners.

Nepal, Palestine impress in openers

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Nepal, Palestine impress in openers

Jeddah: Nepal and Palestine set the early pace in Group B of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 with resounding wins on Tuesday.

Nepal defeated Syria 4-1 while Palestine cruised 3-0 past Iraq.

Qatar’s Lopez hails ‘unique’ Afif after Palestine win

Tue, 30 Jan, 2024

Qatar’s Lopez hails ‘unique’ Afif after Palestine win

Al Khor: Akram Afif’s individual performance was the difference according to head coach Marquez Lopez as Qatar came from behind to defeat Palestine 2-1 in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Round of 16 at Al Bayt Stadium on Monday.

After Palestine took the lead through Oday Dabbagh half an hour into the first half, it was Afif who set-up Hassan Al Haydos for the equaliser with a well-rehearsed move from a corner, before adding his fourth goal of the campaign from the penalty spot just after the restart to secure the win for the hosts.
 
Contributing to two goals on the night, Afif took his overall AFC Asian Cup goal contributions tally to 17, having assisted a record 10 goals and scored one in the UAE 2019 edition. He now sits second on the scoring chart for the ongoing tournament with four goals to his name in addition to two assists.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_round_of_16__qatar_2_-_1_palestine_1.html