Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby

Palestine’s goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh also excelled but is one of a number of free agents in the squad. The lack of game time for some makes the result in Seoul even more impressive. (AFP)
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Updated 09 September 2024
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Palestine dreaming of 2026 World Cup ahead of Jordan derby

LONDON: It is possible that the winner of Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between Palestine and Jordan in Kuala Lumpur will go top of Group B, with two games gone and eight games to go. 

Given that Asia has eight automatic places at the 2026 tournament, twice as many as in 2022 and there are just 18 teams in the third round of qualification, it is not inconceivable that Palestine could make it all the way.

Such a thought would have been dismissed out of hand even a year ago, but no longer. It’s still unlikely, but not impossible. Just finishing fourth in the six-team group keeps the dream alive and after a 0-0 draw in their, on paper, toughest game of the 10, there is a growing belief.

After all, if you can hold the star-studded South Koreans — Asia’s most successful World Cup team with 11 appearances — to a draw in Seoul in front of 60,000 fans then Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and Jordan should not hold any fears. Indeed, a great result could have become spectacular had Wessam Abou Ali’s injury-time shot from a one-on-one not been saved by Jo Hyun-woo.

Palestine’s goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh also excelled but is one of a number of free agents in the squad. The lack of game time for some makes the result in Seoul even more impressive.

Due to the ongoing destruction in Gaza and elsewhere, there is no football in Palestine and no league. There was never really any question of hosting World Cup qualifiers on home soil. Israeli bombs are still falling, people are still dying and stadiums have been destroyed.

Facing Jordan in Gaza, the West Bank, or Jerusalem would have been unforgettable in terms of occasion, meaning and atmosphere. The clash in Malaysia won’t feel the same in that regard, but what does not change is the game’s importance. 

“Qualifying for the World Cup is a dream for every player or coach, but for Palestine it means a lot,” Palestine coach Makram Daboub told Arab News. “It will be a message to the whole world that despite the pain, there is always hope and there are people who deserve freedom and deserve a better life.”

This is a real rivalry heightened by the millions of Palestinians who live in Jordan. It has, however, been a little one-sided on the pitch. It is 48 years since Palestine beat Jordan, a 2-1 win in the Pan Arab Games. Since that 1976 clash, the men from Amman have been on top. 

The most painful defeat was a 5-1 thrashing at the 2015 Asian Cup, Palestine’s first appearance on the continental stage. There was a goalless draw when they met again four years later but, at the 2021 Arab Cup, Jordan won by the same scoreline.

Palestine have improved since. The mature, organised, hard-working and increasingly confident performance in Seoul showed that.

“We knew that it would not be an easy game and that is exactly what happened,” said Son Heung-min, Asia’s biggest star and captain of Tottenham Hotspur. “We had the chances to win the game and should have won but they were tough opposition.”

Just hours later Jordan slipped up, drawing 1-1 with Kuwait at home. Hosting the lowest-ranked of all the 18 teams — 136th in the world — should have been a comfortable three points for the home team. As Palestine drew what was, on paper, their toughest game, Jordan drew with, in theory, their easiest. It adds a little extra spice.

Just seven months ago, Jordan were in the Asian Cup final after defeating, and outclassing, South Korea 2-0 in the last four. The departure of coach Hussein Ammouta was a blow and the draw with Kuwait will heighten concerns that while new coach Jamal Sellami may share the same Moroccan passport as his predecessor, delivering the same success is far from certain.

The injury picked up by one of the stars of the Asian Cup, Musa Al-Tamari, has added to the gloom. The Montpellier attacker scored early against Kuwait but was unable to finish the game.

This may be a good time for Palestine to play their neighbours, who are suddenly without their star player and talismanic coach. They are also in need of points, so the pressure is on. After reaching the final at the Asian Cup, it was expected that Jordan would battle with Iraq for the second automatic spot behind South Korea. That may still happen, but last Thursday’s results have put a little doubt in the minds of everyone.

There is no doubt, however, that with the expanded World Cup, a couple of wins early in the third round could make a huge difference.

“Our goal is to be among the first four teams in the group, and we are capable of that and our chance exists,” Daboub said. “We have a good team.”

 


Top seed Sabalenka draws qualifier Branstine in Wimbledon first round

Updated 27 June 2025
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Top seed Sabalenka draws qualifier Branstine in Wimbledon first round

  • Friday’s draw also pitched defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, the 17th seed, against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines

LONDON: World number one Aryna Sabalenka’s quest for her first Wimbledon title will begin against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine while second seed Coco Gauff’s opener will be versus Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska.

Friday’s draw also pitched defending champion Barbora Krejcikova, the 17th seed, against Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.

Third seed Jessica Pegula’s first-round opponent is Italian qualifier Elisabetta Cocciaretto, while fourth seed Jasmine Paolini, runner-up last year, faces Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia.

Belarusian Sabalenka could meet Paolini in the semifinals while Gauff is in line for a clash with fellow American Pegula.

British number one Emma Raducanu faces an intriguing opening round match against compatriot Mingge Xu, one of three British teenaged wildcards in the draw.


5 things we learned from Al-Hilal’s FIFA Club World Cup win over CF Pachuca

Updated 27 June 2025
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5 things we learned from Al-Hilal’s FIFA Club World Cup win over CF Pachuca

  • Al-Dawsari shines again, defense holds strong and Al-Hilal fans sport cowboy hats as Mexicans are beaten 2-0
  • Saudi team progress to Round of 16 to face Manchester City in Orlando on Monday

NASHVILLE: Al-Hilal held their composure to defeat CF Pachuca of Mexico 2-0 in Nashville and book their place in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16.

The hard-fought victory means coach Simone Inzaghi’s side are the only team from Asia, Africa and Oceania to progress in the 32-team tournament. The Riyadh club will now meet Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City in Orlando on Monday.

Defense holds strong

CF Pachuca started the match the better side, with former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon threatening to stretch the Al-Hilal defense early on. Hassan Al-Tambakti, the Saudi center-back who was a doubt after limping off against Red Bull Salzburg, put a confident display, stepping in twice in the opening 15 minutes when Rondon looked like he would test Yassine Bounou.

Of the three games Al-Hilal have played in the US this month, this match in “Music City” was — somewhat ironically given his nickname — Bono’s quietest. Pachuca managed 12 shots, but only two hit the target; both were central and neither worried the Moroccan, even if he did seem to give Rondon a sniff of a follow-up in the first half.

Pachuca, the reigning Concacaf champions, had scored in both their previous matches against Salzburg and Real Madrid, yet never came close here. Every great team is built on a solid defense and Inzaghi, now with two successive clean sheets, certainly seems to have organized his backline. 

Al-Dawsari does it again

Dressed all in white in the land of the “Man in Black” — country star Johnny Cash — the Blues soon found their rhythm. They settled into the match with the help of captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who raised the heart rate of right-back Eduardo Bauermann as well as the noise levels inside GEODIS Park during a busy first half. Intent on driving at his Brazilian full-back, Al-Dawsari showed speed and trickery every time he touched the ball, to the delight of the 14,147 fans.

His moment came in the 22nd minute. Nasser Al-Dawsari noticed his captain running in behind and lofted the ball forwards. Salem still had much to do, but he is not a player who struggles in high-pressure moments. The Saudi flyer needed just one touch to compose himself, before lifting the ball high and over Pachuca goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado. As the ball hung in the air so did a silence, but Al-Dawsari knew it was going in and reeled off to celebrate his 27th goal of the season with the customary cartwheel and backflip.

“Al-Hilal has been working well since last season and we believe we are on the right track,” he told the media. “Our organization does not change just because the coach changes or a player leaves or arrives. Al-Hilal is built by many, many people — that is the secret of our continuity. Tonight we will celebrate, but tomorrow the focus switches to the next match.” 

Misfiring Marcos Leonardo

For 95 minutes it looked like Brazilian striker Marcos Leonardo would rue missed opportunities once again. The former Santos forward arrived at the Club World Cup having scored 26 times since joining Al-Hilal from Benfica last summer for $46.8m (€40m) and came close against both Madrid and Salzburg. Ultimately, he fumbled at the crucial moments — and it seemed more of the same against Pachuca, until the dying minutes. 

Lovely first-half play out from the back led to Malcom feeding the 22-year-old, but he had strayed offside. Later, Al-Hilal’s No. 11 saw his header flash high and wide. As the match wore on, with nerves building and Pachuca pushing for an equalizer, Malcom picked his compatriot out again. He did well to chip it over the onrushing Jurado but failed to get enough power in the shot and the covering Bauermann cleared comfortably.

With the match into the last of six additional minutes, however, Leonardo finally scored after collecting a long ball forward, rounding the Pachuca goalkeeper, and rolling it into an empty net. His own celebrations were muted, his team’s ecstatic. The hope is this will give the Brazilian confidence going into the match against Manchester City, when chances will surely be slim. 

Mission accomplished, for now

Inzaghi spoke of his “great satisfaction” and revealed his target at the start of the month was to reach the Round of 16 — which his side has achieved. However, club president Fahad bin Nafel, speaking to Arab news, is now looking deeper into the expanded tournament.

“We are the only Arab club, the only Asian club, to progress to the Round of 16, so we are very proud of what we have achieved tonight,” he said. “We are a great team with great players, great technical team and management. I am really supportive. That is our job — to fully support them, so they can push on and continue these great achievements and, inshallah, win the next game too.”   

Blue Wave in high spirits 

The Blue Wave swept through GEODIS Park on Thursday night. Nerves coursed through the concourse pre-match, while sheer joy was on display afterwards. Some Saudi fans paired cowboy hats with kanduras, while others draped the Kingdom’s flag over their shoulders and danced in jubilation. The Saudi spectators may have been outnumbered by their Mexican opposites, but they were rarely outdone in terms of noise. 

As the Al-Hilal players headed down the tunnel after a short on-field celebration, a mass of blue fans gathered under the stands to savor the moment, wave their scarves and sing club songs. “Bring on City! Bring on City,” they chanted.

The Al-Hilal faithful, having traveled from Miami to Washington to Nashville, will now go to Orlando. They have proved both popular and respectful, posing for photos with other teams’ fans and enjoying the chance to bring Saudi soccer culture to a wider audience. The victory against a team already eliminated allowed them to celebrate with no possibility of perceived antagonism. 

Their hope is that this victory, historic though it is, is not yet the highlight of their US road trip.


‘I’m ready for any opponent’: Hattan Alsaif eyes another victory at PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh

Updated 27 June 2025
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‘I’m ready for any opponent’: Hattan Alsaif eyes another victory at PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh

  • Saudi MMA trailblazer Hattan Alsaif silencing doubters as her star rises, up against Lebanese champion Nour Al-Fliti next

RIYADH: In a male-dominated sport, Saudi Arabian star Hattan Alsaif is continuing to make her mark and also providing a blueprint for aspiring female mixed martial arts fighters looking for global recognition.

Already a decorated combat sports athlete before transitioning to MMA, Alsaif made history last year by becoming the first Saudi Arabian woman to sign with a major promotion when she joined the PFL.

Since then, she has been nothing short of impressive inside the PFL SmartCage, racking up three straight wins in the amateur ranks.

Beyond these accomplishments, however, Alsaif is making an impact simply by walking to the cage. Being a Middle Eastern woman making a name for herself in MMA, Alsaif is seen by many as an inspiring role model.

The success that Alsaif has achieved so far is thanks to her self-belief, and ability to block out the critics and doubters.

“I don’t pay attention to those who say this sport isn’t for women,” Alsaif said. “I do what I love and pursue what I believe in, regardless of social expectations.”

Armed with that confidence, Alsaif returns to action at PFL MENA 2 on July 4 in her hometown of Riyadh.

She will be looking for a fourth straight win when she takes on Lebanese champion Nour Al-Fliti in a showcase amateur women’s atomweight bout.

Around eight months removed from her last fight back in November, Alsaif says that she is more than ready.

“I’m fully prepared for this fight,” she said. “The key to victory is consistency and dedication.”

Al-Fliti could be considered Alsaif’s toughest test to date. The undefeated up-and-comer is a multiple Lebanese MMA champion and an IMMAF Asian Championships silver medalist.

While the accolades may be impressive, Alsaif maintains that she is ready to take on all comers, regardless of background and accomplishments.

“I’m ready for any opponent. It doesn’t matter who I face,” she said. “Each one requires a different kind of preparation.”

“The real challenge in combat sports isn’t a single moment — it’s the entire fight. It demands constant mental focus and physical strength from start to finish.”

Alsaif is not just fighting for another win at PFL MENA 2 but to solidify her place as a trailblazer for women in Middle Eastern MMA.

“This is a new beginning, not just another number in the record,” she said.

PFL MENA 2 takes place on Friday, July 4, at the Green Halls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Tickets can be purchased at webook.com.


Al-Hilal defeat Pachuca 2-0, advance to Club World Cup knockout phase

Updated 27 June 2025
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Al-Hilal defeat Pachuca 2-0, advance to Club World Cup knockout phase

Salem Al-Dawsari scored a fancy goal in the 22nd minute, Marcos Leonardo added a clincher in second-half stoppage time and Al-Hilal defeated CF Pachuca 2-0 on Thursday in Nashville to advance to the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup.

Al-Hilal (1-0-2, 5 points), the most successful club in Saudi Arabia, did not take a loss in Group H play after drawing with Real Madrid and RB Salzburg. Their win vaulted them past Salzburg, who finished with four points after losing 3-0 to Real Madrid on Thursday night.

Yassine Bounou made two saves for Al-Hilal, who will face Group H winners Manchester City in the Round of 16 on Monday in Orlando. Meanwhile, Pachuca (0-3-0, 0 points) will return to Mexico without a point in the tournament.

For the opening goal, Salem Al-Dawsari received a pass over the top from Nasser Al-Dawsari (no relation) and popped a high-arching right-footed shot over Pachuca goalkeeper Sebastian Jurado. The shot bounced into the far corner of the goal.

After Bounou fell on top of a Pachuca chance in the 81st minute, Leonardo put the game out of reach with a goal assisted by Ruben Neves five minutes into second-half stoppage time.


Fritz wins twice in one day to step up Eastbourne title defense

Updated 27 June 2025
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Fritz wins twice in one day to step up Eastbourne title defense

  • Top seeded Fritz prevailed against the world No. 46, winning 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 to book a semifinal date with Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday
  • Alexandra Eala, a 20-year-old Filipino qualifier, won 6-1, 6-2 against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska to earn a semifinal against Varvara Gracheva

EASTBOURNE, southern England: Taylor Fritz enjoyed two wins in one day as the world NO. 5 beat Joao Fonseca and Marcos Giron on Thursday to move closer to a fourth Eastbourne title.

Fritz’s second round clash with rising Brazilian star Fonseca was suspended at one set all due to bad light on Wednesday.

Defending champion Fritz took the first set 6-3, but the 18-year-old Fonseca, ranked 57th, hit back to win the second 7-6 (7/5).

When play resumed on Thursday morning, Fritz won the deciding set 7-5 to reach the last eight.

The 27-year-old, who won the grass-court tournament in Stuttgart earlier in June, returned to court just hours later and was pushed to the brink by fellow American Giron.

Top seeded Fritz eventually prevailed against the world No. 46, winning 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 to book a semifinal date with Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Friday.

Davidovich Fokina, ranked 28th, beat Czech third seed Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-5 in the quarter-finals.

The other semifinal pits French fourth seed Ugo Humbert against American world No. 149 Jenson Brooksby.

Humbert beat Billy Harris 7-6 (7/4), 6-1, while Brooksby, who entered the tournament as a ‘lucky loser’ after a withdrawal, defeated Dan Evans 6-2, 6-3.

In the women’s event at Devonshire Park, Australian teenager Maya Joint followed her shock second round victory over former US Open champion Emma Raducanu by reaching the semifinals with a 6-4, 7-5 win against Russian Anna Blinkova.

Joint, 19, will face 2021 French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who beat fellow Russian Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 2-6, 6-0.

Alexandra Eala, a 20-year-old Filipino qualifier, won 6-1, 6-2 against Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska to earn a semifinal against Varvara Gracheva.

World No. 74 Eala is an emerging talent on the WTA Tour, having made her breakthrough with a surprise run to the Miami Masters semifinals in March.

French qualifier Gracheva was given a walkover into the last four when Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova pulled out of their quarterfinal with a thigh injury.

Krejcikova, the world No. 17, is awaiting the outcome of a scan before deciding if she can defend her Wimbledon title next week.

“I’m very sorry to have to withdraw from my quarter-final today in Eastbourne as I’m having some soreness in my right thigh,” she said.

“Overnight it just didn’t get any better; it actually got worse. I think it’s better with Wimbledon in the next couple of days just to rest it and to see what’s going on and to resolve that.”