Palestine hosted its first ever FIFA World Cup match on home soil, a proud moment for the nation. Thousands of spectators filed into the stadium in Al-Ram without incident, another boost to the international image of Palestine, though perhaps more fans would have arrived had the match start time been later in the evening. More importantly for the Palestine squad, it was a golden chance to advance to the second round for the first time. Palestine had won the first leg 2-0 over Afghanistan on Tajik soil.Palestine will boosted by an early 40-meter strike by Husam Waadi, the first ever scored in a FIFA World Cup match in Palestine. At that point in time, it became clear that Afghanistan would have to score three goals with no reply in order to win the series. No more goals were scored in the first half. Afghanistan found its first with just under thirty minutes left to play, but that was all she wrote. The match ended 1-1. Palestine may be disappointed not to have won in front of the home fans, but they are excited to have won the series 3-1 and advance to the AFC Second Round to face Thailand. Plus, a second crack at a home match is now scheduled.
In the final match of the AFC First Round, Bangladesh took its gaudy 3-0 aggregate lead in Lahore looking to finish off Pakistan. Pakistan found itself the most populous nation booted from the FIFA World Cup at the end of the night, failing to register even a single goal in the tournament and garnering a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to bow out meekly.
Bangladesh advance to the next round, giving the south Asians plenty of chances to dream of progressing into the uncharted waters of the third round should they defeat Lebanon, one of the weaker seeded teams in the second round.
Goals:
Palestine
Husam Waadi 11
Afghanistan
Balal Arezou 63
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjsqc3iWXL0 (Palestine v. Afghanistan)
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