Still seeking their first victory in an Asian Cup tournament, Palestine face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group C action on Thursday at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The Knights lost their opening match, 4-1 to Iran, while the UAE are tied with the Iranians atop the group thanks to a 3-1 triumph over Hong Kong.
Match preview
Playing at Education City Stadium last weekend, Palestine were handed a hard lesson against Iran, losing for a third successive time in all competitions.
That extended their winless run to eight matches in all competitions, though Sunday was only the second time this side had ever found the back of the net in the group stage of this tournament.
Palestine need to improve their quality in the attacking third if they want a shot at moving beyond the group stage, with just one goal in their last five competitive fixtures, while failing to find the back of the net in their two 2026 World Cup qualifying affairs played thus far.
The four goals they conceded on matchday one against Iran was more than this side had given up in their entire 2019 group stage campaign (three), posting two clean sheets while claiming their only two points in this competition four years ago.
Despite their poor form coming into this tournament, Makram Daboub's men were expected to contend for a place in the last 16, being the third-highest-seeded team in Group C, ranked 99th according to FIFA.
A defeat to the UAE combined with a victory or draw by Iran versus Hong Kong would end their hopes of progression into the knockout stage in what is their third successive appearance at the Asian Cup.
After a strong opening match, the UAE have the inside track to a place in the knockout stage of this tournament for a third successive campaign.
A victory on Thursday will likely be enough to book their place in the last 16 so long as Hong Kong do not upset one of the favourites, Iran.
Under Paulo Bento since July 2023, this team have been in sparkling form, winning seven of their last eight encounters, with their lone defeat coming in a friendly versus Oman earlier this month (1-0).
Qualifying for the semi-finals of the previous two Asian Cup competitions has raised the bar relatively high for a side that have never lifted this trophy.
The UAE have only been defeated in one of their last seven group fixtures in this competition, losing their final group game versus Iran four years ago but still advancing into the next phase.
They have never lost to Palestine this century, conceding just two goals in their six previous meetings, with their only defeat coming at the 1999 Pan Arab Games (1-0).
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Team News
Ataa Jaber sat out of the opening encounter for Palestine with an unknown injury, while Mahdi Issa, Baraa Kharoub and Samer Zubaida are still seeking their first appearances with the senior squad.
Shehab Qunbar started his first career match for the national team this past weekend, playing alongside his brother Zaid Qunbar in the attack against Iran.
Tamer Seyam notched the only Palestinian goal in that encounter, the 13th of his career, putting him in second all-time above Sameh Maraaba and just one behind Ashraf Nu'man and Fahed Attal for the most ever with the national team.
Khaled Tawhid is the only UAE player without a cap for the national team, Fabio Lima made his 25th appearance in their opener and Khalifa Al Hammadi is one cap away from 40.
Record goalscorer Ali Mabkhout sat out of their match versus Hong Kong and remains two caps behind Abdulrahim Jumaa and Ismail Al Hammadi for fourth all-time, with the Al Jazira striker currently sitting at 114.
Zayed Sultan notched his first international goal on Sunday, which wound up being the winner, with Sultan Adil scoring for the second time with the national team and Yahya Al Ghassani also finding the back of the net.
Palestine possible starting lineup:
Hamadeh; Al-Battat, Termanini, Khalil, Saldana; Seyam, Kharoub, Rashid, Batran; Dabbagh, Z. Qunbar
United Arab Emirates possible starting lineup:
Eisa; Sultan, Al Hammadi, Al-Hashemi, Idrees; Al-Zaabi, Nader, Ramadan; Canedo, Adil, Lima
We say: Palestine 0-2 United Arab Emirates
Palestine have work to do when it comes to competing against an experienced side like the UAE, and we expect them to be on the back foot and eventually succumb to the pressure in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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