AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023: Palestine, Iran Eye Strong Start on Sunday

Doha, January 13 (QNA) - The Palestinian and Iranian national football teams are seeking to make a strong start in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, as they face each other on Sunday at the Education City Stadium in Group C, which also includes the UAE and Hong Kong.

                The Palestinian team aims to achieve positive results, advance beyond the group stage, and qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in its history. This comes during its third appearance in the continental championship in Qatar, following its debut in Australia 2015 and subsequent participation in the UAE 2019.

                The team, led by Tunisian coach Makram Daboub, held a training camp in Abha, Saudi Arabia, in preparation for the tournament, hoping to change the previous patterns and secure victories after failing to win any matches in the 2015 and 2019 editions.

                On the other hand, the Iranian national team looks forward to continuing its positive streak in the continental championship and achieving victory against the Palestinian team. Iran aims to progress further and secure its fourth title in the history of the AFC Asian Cup.

                Iran enters the competition with high ambitions, relying on several players who have shown excellence in recent times. The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 is seen as the ideal stage for Iran to end its wait for the fourth continental title.

                In its history in the Asian Cup, the Iranian national team has won the title three times in 1968, 1972, and 1976. In subsequent years, the team achieved its best results by reaching the semi-finals, finishing third in 1980, 1988, 1996, 2004, and 2019. In 1992, the team was eliminated in the group stage. In 2000, 2007, 2011, and 2015, Iran reached the quarter-finals, while in 1984 in Singapore, they finished in fourth place. (QNA)