Palestine 2 - Thailand 2; Iran 1 - Maldives 0; Yemen 0 - Iraq 0

Palestine hosted its second ever FIFA World Cup qualifier at home today, playing host to Thailand in Al Ram. Two Palestinian starters from the previous leg, midfielder Mohammed Samara and fullback Majed Abusidu, were denied entry into their home country by Israeli authorities. Thailand came in with a 1-0 advantage on the aggregate scoreboard, but perhaps even more importantly, without having surrendered a road goal. That advantage was quickly wiped away by an early strike from Murad Elyyan of Palestine, and the hosts had a 1-0. Datsakorn Thonglao of Thailand snatch one back after the half hour to make the match score 1-1. More importantly, Palestine knew it would have to win the remainder of the match by two goals to overcome Thailand's road goal advantage.

No changes to the scoreboard were seen until the final minute of regulation when new national hero Elyyan scored to put Palestine up 2-1 heading into stoppage time. Now Palestine were but one goal away from advancing. Khader Yosef was sent off the pitch four minutes into second half stoppage time for a goal-saving foul, leaving Palestine with ten men for the dying seconds of the match. Thonglao capitalized on the numerical advantage with an immediate goal off the ensuing free kick to end the match knotted at 2-2. Thailand advanced 3-2 on the aggregate, a margin that really should have been larger had Thailand not squandered so many chances in the first leg. Regardless, Palestine had their most success qualification cycle to date, and will be sad to have seen it end.

Iran went to the island paradise city of Male looking to eliminate Maldives from the FIFA World Cup. Though in reality Iran could lose the match by three and still win the series (Iran won the first leg 4-0), their fans expected nothing less than a resounding victory.

Their fans are going to have to settle for a victory by the minimum scoreline. Iran pushed the only goal of the match across the line at the death of the first period of play. The 1-0 halftime lead help up, and Iran advanced 5-0 on aggregate scoring. The Iranians played solid defense throughout the series and will be looking forward to greater successes later in the tournament.

Yemen faced Iraq as the nominal home side as they two teams faced off in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates. Iraq was leading the aggregate 2-0 after a first-leg victory in Arbil.

Neither team got anything substantial going on offense, which suited Iraq just fine considering their lead on the aggregate scoreboard. The teams played out the second scoreless draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Iraq wins the series 2-0 and sends Yemen out of the tournament. Yemen were the only Arab nation eliminated in the AFC Second Round, but falling to another Arab nation in the process. Iraq, the 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions, are looking to regain their position among the Asian powerhouses and will learn their path to the final round of AFC qualifying at the preliminary draw on Saturday.

Goals:

Palestine

Murad Elyyan 6, 90

Datsakorn Thonglao 33, 90+5

Iran

Mohammad Khalatbari 45

Match Reports:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1188913/1/index.htm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/07/28/thailand.palestine.ap/index.html?sct=sc_t2_a6

http://www.persianfootball.com/live/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3714:lacklustre-iran-complete-obligatory-act-in-male&catid=13:team-melli-news&Itemid=175

http://football.thestar.com.my/story.asp?file=/2011/7/29/football_latest/20110729083246&sec=football_latest

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsOrwJupOgw (Palestine v. Thailand)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb1hDH-dU6s (Iran v. Maldives)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N95grrVyCc&feature=feedu (Iraq v. Yemen)