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| Japan awaits Palestine in the Round of 16 |
Starting XI: Hammadeh, Al-Battat, Salah, Mahdi, Jaber; Abugheneima, Kahroub, Jboor, Musa; Maher, Mara’ba
Substitutions: Mara’ba <-> Batran 57′ // Abuwarda <-> Jboor 63′ // Kahroub <-> Masalma 70′
Cautions : Abdullah Jaber 45+2′ , Tamer Salah 55, Tareq Abugeheneima 90+5
Highlights after the jump….
Highlights
Palestine played arguably their best game of the tournament thus far but fell victim to two fantastic free kicks taken by Muhammad Ghani. For the first time in their Asian Games campaign, Palestine outshot their opponents, won more corner kicks, and thoroughly dominated possession (63%).
Despite a slew of chances it seemed that Palestine could not find the right combination in the final third. Although the result doesn’t have an affect on Palestine’s standing (they are Group C winners with Tajikistan finishing behind them on goal difference) Abdel-Nasser Barakat will hope finishing improves ahead of their Round of 16 date against holders Japan.
Win or lose the matchup should provide players and the coaching staff (who are favorites to take over the first team) a great dress rehearsal before their Asian Cup opener against the Blue Samurai.
What’s Next: Palestine will face Japan on September 25th at 17:00 Local Time.
