Palestine captain 'fulfils promise' after historic Asian Cup win

Palestine's captain said his team had fulfilled "a promise to the Palestinian people" after reaching the Asian Cup knockout rounds for the first time on Tuesday.

The 3-0 victory over Hong Kong was also their first win in the history of the competition and enough to squeeze into the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Oday Dabbagh was the hero in Doha with two goals and at the final whistle Palestine's players and staff celebrated on the pitch, hugging and waving flags.

Palestine's victory came against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

Players and staff have lost loved ones in the conflict.

Captain Musab Al-Battat said that his men had made good on "a promise we made to the Palestinian people".

"I would like to thank all those who supported us," he said.

"We managed to put a smile on the faces of those who follow us... inside or outside Palestine."

A pre-match moment's silence was overrun by shouts of "Free Palestine".

No side had played more Asian Cup matches without a win than Hong Kong (12 games) or Palestine (eight), but victory would offer either side a chance of making the last 16.

In the 12th minute Palestine scored when Battat made an overlapping run from right-back and launched a cross into the box which Dabbagh headed into the net.

Heading over to their fans to celebrate, the players raised their hands to make V-signs.

Hong Kong were dealt a blow when centre-back and match-day captain Vas Nunez sustained an arm injury and had to be replaced by Li Ngai-hoi.

But the team ranked 150 in the world started creating chances as the half wore on, Philip Chan and Everton Camargo blazing over.

Throughout the game the 6,568 people inside the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium were almost entirely supporting Palestine, like at most grounds during the team's campaign.

"Thank you to the fans who are coming to support Palestine and the national team of Palestine. Thank you from our heart," captain Al-Battat said.

"We will do our best to put a smile for the people."