Palestinian team, Syria advance in Asian Cup
AL WAKRAH, Qatar - The Palestinian soccer team and Syria advanced to the knockout stage of the Asian Cup for the first time on Tuesday.
Both secured their place in the round of 16 as two of the best third-placed teams from the group stage.
Oday Dabbagh scored twice for the Palestinian team in a 3-0 win over Hong Kong in Group C and Omar Khrbin struck the only goal in Syria’s 1-0 win against India in Group B.
The Palestinian team had failed to advance from the first round in its prior two attempts. Syria had exited the tournament in the group stage in its six previous tries, most recently in 2019.
The four best third-placed teams advance to the next round along with the top two in each group.
Dabbagh opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a close-range header and Zeid Qunbar glanced another header past Hong Kong goalkeeper Tse Ka Wing three minutes after the break. Dabbagh scored his second in the 60th after Tamer Seyam’s effort came back off the bar.
Coming on as a substitute after halftime, Khrbin struck in the 77th as Syria beat India and secured third place in Group B.
Khrbin’s decisive strike at Al Bayt Stadium was Syria’s only goal in three group games.
Australia advanced as the Group B winner after a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan.
The 2015 champion had already secured a place in the round of 16 after two straight wins and confirmed the group win after picking up a point at Al Janoub Stadium.
Three-time champion Iran backed its pre-tournament billing with three straight wins in the group stage. Mehdi Taremi scored both of Iran’s goals in a 2-1 win over UAE at Education City Stadium.