Asian Cup 2019: Palestine (Preview)

Running up to their second successive Asian Cup campaign, the improvements made by the Palestine national football team have been incredible in their upward trajectory. While qualification was an undoubted success, managerial changes akin to those at this point four years ago threaten to destabilise the side going into an appealing looking group stage for potential progression.

The difference in perceptions and quality at this point compared to four years ago is staggering. Palestine travelled to Australia in 2015 as heavy outsiders, debutants to the competition, basking in the feel-good factor as everyone’s second favourite team, only to come away with three comprehensive losses, conceding 11 goals in the process.

Four years on, the mood has changed, both within the camp and in wider Asian football perceptions. Palestine are tipped by some to unsettle in the Emirates, even challenge for progression to the knockouts, something unheard of prior to this campaign.

The change has come to pass, through a greater quality of players being uncovered, via the vast waves of diaspora, a manager who has bred an attack focussed side, and the fact that the national team has returned home for the first time in nearly five years, to host competitive internationals. All factors adding up, Palestine only succumbed to defeat three times in qualification; considering they faced the likes of Saudi Arabia and UAE early on, the record speaks for itself in its improvement.

So much so, that they were only three points away from qualifying for the latter rounds of World Cup qualification. But for defeat on the second to last matchday, away in the Emirates against Omar Abdulrahman et al, Palestine illustrated their might on the continental stage, a measure of quality that has been honed in the resulting build-up.

A catalyst behind the rise was Abdel Nasser Barakat, a home coach, with the respect of players and fans alike, who guided the squad through qualification expertly, breaking a number of national records along the way. The construction of a winning mentality, on a side that was already hard to beat, with a growing spine, Barakat was seen as the ideal man to lead them into the Asian Cup.

As was the case four years ago however, when former coach Jamal Mahmoud was displaced unceremoniously, Barakat’s tenure was cut short upon qualification. His replacement, the bizarrely appointed Bolivian Julio Cesar Baldivieso lasted only two matches, feeling the axe at the start of the year after great pressure from the fanbase finally swung the FA into making a quick decision.

From then, rookie Algerian coach Noureddine Ould Ali, who initially stepped in as caretaker boss has subsequently fallen into the job on a permanent time basis to lead The Fedayeen into January. Ould Ali, who was assistant under Barakat, has justifiably transferred that relationship to the players, but with anger from the fans, still smarting from the whole Barakat mess with the FA, the build up to the tournament remains simmering hot.

Recent friendly results have been mixed, Palestine still struggle for the razzle dazzle friendlies other nations take for granted, but their preparation has been extensive, often running the rule in friendly tournaments, such as the Bangabandhu Cup held in Bangladesh outside of FIFA approved international windows.

The team on their day are best when attacking the opposition, a trait they illustrated perfectly in qualifying, recording back-to-back 6-0 victories over Malaysia, a 7-0 win over Timor-Leste, an 8-1 victory over Maldives, and an incredible 10-0 effort over Bhutan. These can easily be brushed off as one offs against minnow nations, but it’s easy to forget, Palestine were regularly thought of in the same bracket until very recently.

A reason behind such a varied and potent attack has been built on the success of their diaspora, recruiting players from as far wide as Chile, to Germany and Sweden in Europe. The varied styles of play the squad brings to the plate is a melting pot that can’t be underestimated in its unpredictability. At the heart of the team, the creative ingenuity of Pablo Tamburrini keeps the side ticking on, while the physicality of Mahmoud Eid on one flank, and the young enthusiasm of Oday Dabbagh on the other is a regular handful.

Quite oddly in such a varied attacking lineup, the keeper could become the star of this side’s campaign. One of a handful that still ply their trade in Palestine, Rami Hamadeh looks a prospect that could be considered for a transfer after the competition finishes in February. A modern goalkeeper moulding typical shot stopping abilities as well as those with his feet, Hamadeh is likely to get quite a bit of action at some point in the tournament, especially against Australia in the group stage, so it’ll be an interesting test of his continental pedigree.

Aside from the reigning continental champions, Jordan and Syria complete an intriguing set of fixtures for Palestine, who can go into the tournament in high spirits. The late change of management has tainted their preparations slightly, however with a squad that is starting to blossom at the right time, and with those around them experiencing similar difficulties, Group B looks wide open for the taking.

Key Men

Head Coach - Noureddine Ould Ali (ALG)

Former assistant to the impressive Abdel Nasser Barakat, Ould Ali may have been an underwhelming replacement initially, but he’s starting to bring the fans around in his first head coach position. Has broadly rotated his squad and line-up selections, ever since he took charge but to effect, clinching victory in the friendly Bangabandhu Cup in October.

Star Player - Rami Hamadeh

Stepping into the shoes of Palestine’s all-time record caps holder Ramzi Saleh is by no means the easiest of tasks, yet 24-year-old keeper Hamadi has done so, making a serious impression. An all-round modern keeper, who is confident in the air and in distribution, could well be Palestine’s secret weapon.

Cult Hero - Abdelatif Bahdari

A cult figure in Asian football, not always for the right reasons. An ever present in his side’s rise in prominence but about to enter his final years of his career. The Palestinian captain and central defender has the raw ability to excel at this level, but the positioning and concentration to often concede ground.

Young Prospect - Oday Dabbagh

20-year-old left winger who broke onto the international scene with an impressive goalscoring run at the Under 23s Championships in January. Has continued to impress of late in Palestine’s tune up friendlies, featuring heavily in his side's recent Bangabandhu Cup success.