SEOUL: Palestine delivered a major shock to South Korea in a thrilling World Cup qualifying match on Thursday, securing a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The result marked a notable achievement for the Palestinian team, who are competing in the third stage of Asian qualifiers for the first time.
Ranked 96th in FIFA’s global standings, Palestine faced a formidable opponent in South Korea, who are currently ranked 23rd. Despite their lower ranking and significant challenges, including the suspension of their local league due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the Palestinian squad displayed remarkable resilience and tactical acumen.
Palestine’s preparations for the match have been far from ideal. Their tenacity was evident throughout the match as they managed to hold South Korea to a goalless stalemate.
The game saw a controversial moment in the 22nd minute when Palestine thought they had taken the lead. However, their goal was correctly disallowed for offside. This was a significant moment for the visitors, demonstrating their capacity to compete on equal terms with one of Asia’s footballing powerhouses.
South Korea, under the guidance of their fourth coach this year, Hong Myung-bo, appeared unsettled and struggled to impose themselves. Their star player, Son Heung-min, was kept largely out of the game by a disciplined Palestinian defence. The hosts’ best chance in the first half came from Lee Kang-in, whose close-range shot was brilliantly saved by Palestinian goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh.
The second half saw South Korea intensify their efforts, but the Palestinians managed to stifle their advances. Lee Kang-in again had a golden opportunity but missed a chance before having a 74th-minute free-kick tipped over the bar by Hamadeh. Oday Dabbagh also threatened on a counter-attack for Palestine, and in the dying minutes, Son Heung-min struck the post, which was as close as South Korea came to breaking the deadlock.
Palestine’s performance was a testament to their progress under Tunisian coach Makram Daboub. This year has been historic for the Palestinian team, who achieved their first-ever win at the Asian Cup, defeating Hong Kong 3-0. They reached the knockout stages of the tournament, a significant milestone before being narrowly defeated by Qatar, the eventual champions.
Following the match, the Palestinian squad will return to Kuala Lumpur to prepare for their next qualifier against Jordan on Tuesday.
