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FIFA Arab Cup
Herve Renard’s side were pushed to the limit before finding the winner at Lusail Stadium - the same venue where they stunned eventual champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - and will next face either Jordan or Iraq in Monday’s semi-finals.
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Saudi Arabia dominated the early proceedings but found very little room to exploit in the Palestine defence in the opening half an hour with a Salem Al Dawsari dribble and shot which was blocked by Michael Termanini the only attack of note.
The game continued to be devoid of chances with the closest it got to an opening goal coming just before the break after Saleh Alshamat threaded Al Dawsari through but his cross for Feras Albrikan was cleared in the nick of time by an alert Hamed Hamdan.
The game continued to be devoid of chances with the closest it got to an opening goal coming just before the break after Saleh Alshamat threaded Al Dawsari through but his cross for Feras Albrikan was cleared in the nick of time by an alert Hamed Hamdan.
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A moment of magic from two-time AFC Player of the Year Al Dawsari saw Saudi Arabia find the breakthrough.
The Saudi captain received the ball on the left, weaved past Termanini only to be unceremoniously brought down by Saleh Mohammed, with Albrikan stepping up to put away the penalty in the 58th minute.
The Saudi captain received the ball on the left, weaved past Termanini only to be unceremoniously brought down by Saleh Mohammed, with Albrikan stepping up to put away the penalty in the 58th minute.
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Palestine, however, were not behind for long as Oday Dabbagh expertly controlled Ameed Sawafta’s 64th minute cross into the box before slamming home from close range past Nawaf Alaqidi.
Stung by the equaliser, Saudi Arabia looked to respond with Ali Majrashi hitting the bar, Al Dawsari seeing his header saved by Rami Hamada and Kanno having his effort in the third minute of added time ruled out for offside.
There was more drama two minutes later when Mohammed looked to have conceded his second penalty in trying to block Majrashi’s cross but the referee reversed his decision following a VAR review to send the tie into extra-time.
Stung by the equaliser, Saudi Arabia looked to respond with Ali Majrashi hitting the bar, Al Dawsari seeing his header saved by Rami Hamada and Kanno having his effort in the third minute of added time ruled out for offside.
There was more drama two minutes later when Mohammed looked to have conceded his second penalty in trying to block Majrashi’s cross but the referee reversed his decision following a VAR review to send the tie into extra-time.
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Saudi Arabia’s push for the winner eventually bore fruit in the 115th minute when Al Dawsari clipped a cross to Kanno at the far post to thump a downward header beyond Hamada to send his side into the semi-finals.
Photos: FIFA via Getty Images
Photos: FIFA via Getty Images
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