AFC Asian Qualifiers
It is Palestine’s first ever win at this stage of the AFC Asian Qualifiers as they inflicted a body blow to Iraq’s hopes of automatic qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup.
The win revived Palestine’s hopes of advancing to the playoffs and left Iraq a point behind second-placed Jordan with only the top two to qualify automatically. The third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the playoff where an additional two slots will be at stake.
Iraq started the match as favourites but struggled to trouble a Palestine side, with Amir Al Ammari pulling his long range effort high in the eighth minute.
Rami Hamada had to be sharp in the 22nd minute to deny Al Ammari from distance after the midfielder unleashed a powerful drive, forcing the Palestine custodian into a save.
Iraq escaped unscathed six minutes later when Palestine had a rare sight on goal six after Munaf Younus was dispossessed with Ibrahim Bayesh gaining possession before pulling his effort just wide of the right post.
Palestine, however, conceded the opening goal in the 34th minute after Ibrahim Bayesh whipped in a perfect cross to Aymen Hussein, who scored with a glancing header.
Oday Dabbagh tried to even parity but struck his long range shot straight into the arms of Iraq keeper Ahmed Basil, while Wessam Abou Ali and Hussein both had their efforts thwarted by Hamada just before the break.
Palestine were more adventurous in the second half with Ataa Jaber threading a neat ball through the box for Abou Ali, who sliced his shot across the face of goal to force Hamada to intervene.
Jaber created another chance for Palestine just after the hour mark when he whipped in a cross into the six-yard-box but Hamada was quick to read the danger, who then blocked Abou Ali’s attempt from close range in the 82nd minute.
But Palestine were not to be denied as Abou Ali levelled the tie in the 88th minute after the forward rose highest to nod the ball into the bottom left corner off Adam Kaied’s corner.
Palestine saved their best for last and delivered a stunning blow to Iraq with another carbon copy effort from Ameed Mahajneh, who nodded home another Kaied corner in the seventh minute of time added on to seal the historic win.
