AFC Asian Cup - Syria 0 Palestine 0 - Match Report
Syria held by the ten men of Palestine
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Match Report
Palestine celebrated their first point in Asian Cup history after holding Syria to a 0-0 draw in Sharjah on Sunday despite playing the final 22 minutes with 10 men.
Beaten in each of their three matches on debut in 2015, unheralded Palestine were more competitive on this occasion as they succeeded in frustrating stronger opposition despite Mohammed Saleh's harsh dismissal.
The defender received a second yellow card in the 68th minute following a clash of heads with Omar Khrbin but Syria, who have designs on a place in the knockout rounds after impressing in World Cup qualifying, were unable to make their numerical advantage count.
An inability to capitalise on a pair of first-half chances allowed Palestine to grow into the contest and Noureddine Ould Ali's men capably navigated the closing stages in a positive start to their Group B campaign.
Syria, though absent from the Asian Cup in 2015, were expected to prove too strong and twice went close in the opening 30 minutes.
The lively Khrbin was at the centre of both opportunities, first seeing Abdallah Jaber make a miraculous goal-line block early in proceedings before Rami Hamada - whose handling error initiated the first chance - palmed clear a threatening header.
Bernd Stange's side were well on top when Osama Omari went down clutching his knee before half-time and had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Their hopes of extracting three points were given a boost with just over 20 minutes remaining as referee Ravshan Irmatov deemed Saleh's routine aerial challenge with Khrbin worthy of a second booking.
Palestine, though, remained as obdurate as they had been until that point and deservedly secured a draw that sets them up nicely for Friday's date with Australia, who earlier lost to Syria's next opponents Jordan.
Live Updates
Preamble
We have Team News! First Up for Syria! Keep out for the pair of Omar Al Somah and Omar Khribin. Both have been prolific goalscorers in Saudi in recent years! As for Palestine keep an eye out for Pablo Bravo, the midfielder has played the majority of his career in South America!
📝 Starting XIs for both teams: 🇸🇾 Syria 🆚 Palestine 🇵🇸
We are just one hour away from the second game in group 🅱! pic.twitter.com/ofZs8kpqCu — #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 6, 2019
Plenty of shock results so far at the Asian Cup? Can Palestine shock Syria?!
Two monumental surprises in earlier #AsianCup2019 action today... Jordan upset Australia in the early games and then India upset the much fancied War Elephants of Thailand. Can Palestine make it a hattirck of upsets tonight vs. Syria? #YallaFidai — Football Palestine (@FutbolPalestine) January 6, 2019
Good evening! Welcome to the Live Updates of Syria Vs Palestine. After Australia were shocked by Jordan, Syria will be looking to take top spot in Group B with a big win over Palestine. As ever, join the Live Blog for all the latest team news, Live Match commentary and the goals as they go in!