Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Male: Ashraf Al Fawaghra scored and provided an assist as Palestine edged closer to a second consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the AFC Challenge Cup following an accomplished 2-0 victory over Myanmar in Group A on Wednesday.
Abdulhamid Abuhabib, who scored Palestine’s stoppage time winner against Kyrgyzstan in their opening game on Monday, was also on target at the National Stadium for Jamal Mahmoud’s side.
Myanmar, meanwhile, hardly had a shot on goal in stark contrast to their battling 3-2 win over tournament host the Maldives on Monday when the played the majority of the contest with 10 men.
“In the beginning I knew it would be a hard match. I told my players we must get the three points and get through to the semi-finals. I prepared my players very well and told them to work hard on the field,” said Palestine coach Mahmoud.
“Al Fawaghra played well today, but all players are important and we are part of a group.”
Palestine dominated the first half with Al Fawaghra coming close on a number of occasions after first being denied by Myanmar goalkeeper Thiha Si Thu after just three minutes after he was put through on goal.
Soon after, Al Fawaghra thundered a powerful free-kick from outside the penalty area straight at Thiha Si Thu before the Palestine striker missed a good chance from close range.
But the first goal finally arrived in stoppage time as Al Fawaghra broke down the middle and passed to Abuhabib, who was in space on the right and he confidently side footed his side into a deserved lead.
And five minutes into the second half Alfawaghra scored what will be one of the goals of the tournament to put his side two ahead as he picked up the ball midway inside the Myanmar half, skilfully dribbled through four players down the middle before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Thiha Si Thu from just inside the area.
And with Myanmar, and in particular striker Kyaw Ko Ko, unable to recreate their form shown in their win over the Maldives, Palestine went close to scoring their third in the dying seconds when Haytham Theeb fired in a brilliant shot from outside the area that hit the crossbar.
“Some of our players were sleeping and we missed the team spirit we had against Maldives,” said Myanmar coach Raddy Avramovic.
“The two goals they scored saw their players unchallenged. It is impossible to play like that. Our players thought they can do what they want.”