AFC Asian Cup Qatar2023/ Palestine Captain Hails Qualification for Round of 16

Doha, January 23 (QNA) - Musab Al Battat, captain of the Palestinian national team and the best player in the 3-0 victory over Hong Kong, confirmed that the current participation of the national team in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 is considered historic after qualifying to the round of 16 for the first time since three previous participations, stressing that ambition will not stop at the round of 16. He noted in the pre-match conference that the achievement of progressing to the round of 16 marked Palestine's best participation up until now compared to the two previous ones in the Australia 2015 and UAE 2019 editions. Even though the start was disappointing against Iran, a team that is rated to go far in this tournament, the second game with the UAE showed the great capabilities of the players of Palestine as they were better despite squandering the win, but the pinnacle of the team's level and performance was in the third game, he added. Al Battat admitted that the happiness with qualifying does not mean that they will stop at that, rather they have to carry on and showcase their abilities to proceed beyond the round of 16. He concluded by thanking the supporters and expressing gratitude for the role of the State of Qatar and the Organizing Committee in making the tournament a success. (QNA)