Qatari players in action during a practice session in Changzhou, China yesterday.
Changzhou: Tournament debutants Palestine sensationally qualified for the AFC U23 Championship quarter-finals yesterday as a comprehensive 5-1 win over Thailand, coupled with DPR Korea’s loss to Japan, saw them progress to the knockout phase as Group B runners-up.
On a day of high octane entertainment, four first half goals laid the foundations for the thrilling victory which saw the Palestinians secure second place on goal difference from their Korean counterparts, and confirm a last eight meeting with Qatar on Friday.
In what was to be a sign of things to come, Palestine raced out of the blocks at the start of the opening half, as first Mohammed Rashid fired narrowly over from distance on five minutes, and then Oday Dabbagh guided a header wide of the post when well-placed shortly after.
That early Palestine pressure was to pay handsome dividends in the 15th minute when Dabbagh’s neat lay-off set up Mohanad Fannoun, who lashed the ball home from fully 20 yards past Thailand goalkeeper Nont Muangngam.
The energetic Dabbagh duly doubled Palestine’s lead on 26 minutes courtesy of a fine run and shot, before Mahmoud Yousef slid the ball under Nont to register a third from close range on the half hour mark after a fine Rashid pass.
Thailand were then dealt a further blow just two minutes later when Yousef Alashhab’s cross from the left was drilled into the net by the onrushing Mohamed Darwish.
To their credit, Thailand responded well, and they duly reduced the deficit when captain Chenrop Samphaodi converted Tanasith Siripala’s cross as the first half came to a close.
By way of contrast, chances were few and far between after the break before substitute Shehab Qumbor rounded off a perfect afternoon for Palestine with his side’s fifth in the 88th minute.
