Education City Stadium, Qatar – In the end, Palestine lost to Iran on the field, but the team and the Palestinian people won thousands of hearts in their AFC Asian Cup opening match at the stadium Education City in Qatar.
The 4-1 scoreline in Iran’s favor accurately reflects the possession and dominance the Asian powerhouse enjoyed in Sunday night’s Group C match, but it doesn’t tell the story of a crowd united behind Palestine amid Israel’s devastating war on Gaza.
From the moment the stadium gates opened to the public, Palestine had some form of representation in the crowds that flocked to the Al Rayyan venue on the outskirts of Qatar’s capital Doha.
Fans of dozens of different nationalities who live in Qatar came dressed in Palestinian shirts or draped in its flag and keffiyehs.
They danced to “Dammi Falastini” as the popular unofficial Palestinian anthem played outside the stadium and watched in awe as a Palestinian dabke group performed on a stage in front of the turnstiles.
As fans soaked up the atmosphere, two Palestinian sisters whose family is from Gaza admitted it was an emotional evening for them.
“The show of support we have seen here makes us feel recognized,” they told Tel Aviv Tribune, requesting anonymity.
“We were never able to go to our homeland (Gaza). It’s unfair and upsetting, because wherever we go, we never feel at home.
“Special evening”
Despite the importance of the match – in a group that also includes Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates – Iranian fans recognized the emotional significance of the evening.
Ali Mir, from Iran, arrived with a unique flag: half Iranian and half Palestinian.
“These two countries are playing a very important match tonight and will be adversaries, but in reality they are brothers and fighting for world peace,” he said.
“So I’m here to support both of them on this special night.”
Emotions were also strong in the stands.
When the national anthems of both countries were played before kickoff, the Iranian anthem was greeted with a loud rendition by the team’s noisy supporters.
And when “Fidai Baladi” sounded, the Palestinians could not hold back their emotions as they sang.
Iranian fan groups vehemently supported Team Melli from the stands with drums and large flags.
They had barely started to warm up when Iran opened the scoring in the second minute.
Palestine found themselves chasing the match throughout the first half, but gave their fans a moment of joy by scoring in the sixth minute of added time.
The crowd erupted into loud cheers and chants for the men in red.
The Palestinian team did better in the second half, but failed to score and conceded a fourth goal.
“We are thinking of Gaza”
Laith Saleh, a Palestinian who grew up in Jordan after his family fled Ramallah in the early 2000s, was disappointed with the result but said he understood that it must not have been easy for Palestinian players to concentrate on football while war rages in their country. for the 100th day.
“It’s not just about tonight or this match – Gaza is in our thoughts every moment of every day,” he told Tel Aviv Tribune.
“I know how difficult it is for me – I work as a chef and every time I prepare a meal from my homeland it makes me very emotional. And when I sit down to eat, I can’t help but think of my brothers and sisters who are starving in this war.
Like most displaced Palestinians, he cannot visit his family whenever he wants. He urged the world to do more to help end the war.
“This has been going on for 100 years, not a few days – and the whole world couldn’t stop it,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.
After the whistle blew at the end of the match, some discouraged Palestinian players stood up, but others approached their fans to show their support.
Iran tops the group and has a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Palestine will have to pick themselves up before their second match against the United Arab Emirates.