Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
AFC Challenge Cup winning coach Jamal Mahmoud has backed his former assistant Ahmed Al Hassan to continue Palestine’s recent progress at the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
Mahmoud guided Palestine to victory at May’s AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives, which secured a maiden appearance AFC Asian Cup in January, only for the former Jordan international to resign following September’s Peace Cup in the Philippines.
But with Palestine set to face Japan, Jordan and Iraq in Group D in Australia, Mahmoud has backed former national team goalkeeper Al Hassan to thrive in his new role.
“I left Palestine as I have a special situation, but I hope that Palestine can go far at the Asian Cup,” said AFC Coach of the Year nominee Mahmoud, who was in Manila at the weekend for the annual AFC Awards as Palestine were named AFC National Team of the Year.
“It will be difficult for Palestine at the Asian Cup, but they have good players and my assistant is now the head coach of Palestine and I think he can have a good result at the Asian Cup.
“I always speak to him, but he now works alone as he is now the head coach, but if he wants I am always behind him. He will continue the work we did together. He was my assistant and he will continue what we did before with the players.”
Following their Group D opener against four-time champions Japan in Newcastle on January 12, Palestine then face Jordan, who reached the intercontinental play-off for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium four days later before rounding off their Group D campaign against 2007 champions Iraq in Canberra on 20 January.
“It is an historic achievement for Palestine as it is the first time they have gone to the Asian Cup,” added Mahmoud, who has not taken up another role since leaving Palestine in September having been appointed in 2011.
Palestine are set to play both Uzbekistan and China in friendlies later this month having beaten AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finalists Vietnam 3-1 last month.