Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min praised the spirit confirmed by Palestine after they held South Korea to a 1-1 draw within the third spherical of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday.
Whereas South Korea had been overwhelming favourites for the tie — which was performed in impartial territory on Jordanian soil — it was Palestine who took the lead after 12 minutes earlier than Son equalised shortly after.
Regardless of the designated away workforce’s greatest efforts, Palestine had been in a position to maintain out for a worthwhile level that leaves them in with an opportunity of reaching the following spherical of qualification on the very least, maintaining alive their unlikely World Cup dream.
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It was the second time within the marketing campaign that the Palestinians have pissed off their more-illustrious opponents, having memorably eked out a 0-0 attract Seoul again in September.
Palestine proceed to defy the percentages amid the backdrop of the continuing Israel-Hamas battle, having not performed a real residence recreation since 2019.
It was this spirit that garnered them reward from Son instantly after the match.
“I need to give a spherical of applause to the Palestine workforce,” mentioned a magnanimous Son, regardless of his disappointment on the outcome.
“Seeing them work so exhausting, even in troublesome situations, is one thing I believe we are able to be taught from.
“I believe they had been effectively ready and executed their plans rather well.”
Throughout their two conferences with the South Koreans, Palestine needed to face up to 32 efforts on objective with custodian Rami Hamadeh rising to the problem on each events.
Additional highlighting the tribulations that Palestine are persevering via, Hamadeh has now been and not using a membership for over a yr and is one among 4 gamers within the newest squad who’re presently unattached.
Even after their earlier assembly with South Korea, Hamadeh had already spoken on the hurdles they’ve needed to overcome simply to take part within the qualifiers.
“We’ve not accomplished any [training] camps. The [overseas-based] gamers have not been with us a whole lot of the time,” he defined.
“I have been and not using a workforce for a yr due to the battle – the league has stopped in Palestine.
“I prepare alone. I prepare with my associates. [But] I’ve a duty to be right here.”
The Asian qualifiers resume in March with South Korea taking over Oman and Jordan, whereas Palestine will look to proceed their spirited showings towards Jordan and Iraq.
