Doha- “We are here to send a message… We exist, the Palestinian people are steadfast in their land and will remain there… We love life and we will live,” words said by Muhammad Saleh, the Palestine national team player, that echoed in the mixed zone of the World Cup “Education City” stadium, which hosted the “Fedayeen” confrontation. Against Iran in the third group, which ended with the “Lions of Persia” winning 4-1.
In a tone of confidence typical of the Palestinian character and love for life in light of the Israeli aggression on Gaza for more than 100 days, the Malaysian Sabah Club defender offered his condolences to “our beloved Strip, our martyrs, our loved ones, our friends, and our children in the Gaza Strip.”
The former player for the Al-Masry and Al-Qanat teams continued in his interview with Al-Jazeera Net, “This is the message that we would like to convey to everyone through football. We are aware of the size of the message. We will prove that in the next two matches.”
Muhammad Saleh, 30, promised the Palestinian and Arab fans positive results: “We will win and qualify, God willing.”
Mohamed Saleh is one of the players we met in the corridor for players inside the mixed zone. We also spoke to Musaab Al-Battat, the leader of the “Guardian,” and his two colleagues, Yasser Hamad and Aladdin Hassan, and their brief statements included humanitarian messages about the situation in Gaza and Palestine, and others of thanks and appreciation to the Arab fans of their various nationalities. Supporting the Palestinian national team on the field and behind the screens.
In the same context, Yasser Hamad spoke very briefly about the difficult situation in the Gaza Strip and Palestine, “Certainly the situation in Palestine is not good. My family lives there. I hope that the aggression will stop as soon as possible, and security and peace will prevail.. People must continue to support Palestine.” “.
The current Indian NorthEast United club defender also praised everyone who came to the educational city stadium to support the Palestinian team, calling on everyone to continue their support and encouragement until the last match in the group stage.
Apology and thanks
In turn, Musab Al-Battat, captain of the Palestine national team – during his conversation with Tel Aviv Tribune Net – apologized to the “Fedayeen” fans and to the fans present in the stadium – as well – after the loss, and continued, “The fans were expecting a better performance and result from us than what was achieved against Iran… We hoped to make them happy.” “And we make our people happy in Palestine.”
Musab thanked the Arab fans who came to the Education City Stadium to support the Palestinian team in its first match, and the defender of the Palestinian Shabab Al-Dhahiriya Club said, “I thank the large fans who came to support the Palestinian people and their cause. This is an honorable and usual position from the State of Qatar and the fans who live on its land.”
Despite the loss to the Iranian team, which includes distinguished players and is considered a prominent candidate to compete for the title, Musab looked forward with great optimism to Palestine’s third participation in the continental championship.
He points out, “There were mistakes and negatives facing Iran from which we must draw lessons, but in return we must benefit from the positive points and build on them in the future.”
The chances of “Al-Fedayi” appear to be good in this third group, as it will meet its Emirati counterpart in an all-Arab confrontation next Thursday, and then face Hong Kong on the 23rd of this month.
He hoped that the team would appear better in the next two matches against the Emirates and Hong Kong, and said, “God willing, success will be our ally. All players are responsible, and they have the desire and enthusiasm to make the fans happy.”
For his part, Aladdin Hassan pointed out that the Palestinian team always strives for the best and that he and his teammates are determined that they will spare no effort on the field to please the “Fedayeen” fans, by achieving victory over the Emirates and Hong Kong.
The Palestinian team, coached by Tunisian Makram Daboub, is looking forward to spreading feelings of pride in the hearts of its citizens in the Gaza Strip, which was devastated by war, by achieving its first victory in the Asian Cup.
Since its first appearance in the tournament in the 2015 edition in Australia, and then in the Emirates 2019, “Al-Fedayi” has suffered losses in 6 matches, conceding 14 goals, and striker Tamer Siam’s goal against Iran yesterday is the second for Palestine in the continental championship.