Palestine make History by Reaching Asian Cup Knockout

The 109 days of the war in Gaza, they will not give up without a fight.

“We have faced every challenge with determination and we are not going to stop now.”

For their Gaza-born defender Mahmoud Saleh, the full-time whistle brought a gush of emotions.

The number five fell to the ground and buried his face in the grass as he cried uncontrollably. When he was finally pulled up on his feet by his teammates, Saleh pulled his shirt over his face as he sobbed.

Saleh is one of the few players from Gaza who are part of the current squad, and has spoken of the difficulties of playing and training while not being able to hear about his family’s safety amid the war.

The win gives Saleh, Al-Battat and their teammates another chance of ensuring the Palestinian anthem is played in the stadium, the Palestinian flag is waved by thousands and the Palestinian spirit is displayed for the world to see.