Palestine beat Libya on penalties as Syria, Kuwait advance to Arab Cup group stage   

Doha: Palestine reached the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 group stage after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Libya, following a goalless draw at Thani bin Jassim Stadium.

Image from Palestine Football Association social media.

The match saw both teams play entertaining football but fail to score in regulation time. 

Palestine goalkeeper Rami Hamada gave his side an early advantage by saving Ali Yusuf’s first penalty. With Palestine leading 3-2, Libya goalkeeper Aymen Al Tihar kept his team’s hopes alive by stopping Michel Termanini’s shot. 

Ultimately, Amid Mahajna calmly converted Palestine’s final penalty, while Libya’s Marwan Al Hbeishi missed the target, handing Palestine a place in the group stage.

“It was a well-deserved victory. On a personal level, representing Palestine at the Arab Cup is a great honour, and it comes with a lot of responsibility for every player,” said Palestine captain Mus’ab Al-Batat.

“I’ve been here less than 48 hours, and this was my second match yet I played the full 90 minutes. When you play for the national team, you’re full of energy, no matter how tired you feel. Reaching the Arab Cup is a source of pride,” he added.

“It also feels like an achievement for all of Palestine. We’ve certainly made children in Palestine happy, and just seeing that joy is an achievement for everyone involved.”

Coached by Ihab Abu Jazar, Palestine join hosts Qatar, last edition’s runners-up Tunisia, and Syria in Group A. 

Palestine will face Qatar on December 1 shortly after the opening ceremony at Al Bayt Stadium, while Syria will play Tunisia earlier the same day.

In a simultaneous match at Grand Hamad Stadium, Syria defeated South Sudan 2-0. 

Mahmoud Al Aswad’s brilliant run from the right flank set up Mohammed Al Hallaq to score in the 52nd minute, followed by Mahmoud Al Mawas doubling the lead seven minutes later with an assist from Al Hallaq.

Earlier at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Kuwait beat Mauritania 2-0, both goals coming in the first half. Mohammad Daham opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a header from Rashed Al Dousari’s deflected cross, then forced an own goal by Mauritania’s Nouh Mohamed in the 24th minute.

“I am happy to play a key role in the win, and we are thrilled to reach the group stage,” said Daham. “We thank our fans and the technical staff for their support, and Qatar for their warm hospitality.”

Kuwait joins Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates in Group C and will face Egypt in their opening match on December 2 at Lusail Stadium.

FIFA Arab Cup Qualifiers: Wednesday's matches 

Oman v Somalia, 4pm Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium
Bahrain v Djibouti, 4pm  Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Comoros v Yemen, 7pm  Grand Hamad Stadium
Sudan v Lebanon, 7pm  Thani bin Jassim Stadium