DOHA:Ā Palestine conceded a goal after just 64 seconds in their opening match at the Asian Cup as Iran launched their title bid with a clinical 4-1 win on Sunday.
The match in Qatar coincided with the 100th day of the Israel-Hamas war, the grim milestone adding extra significance to an occasion that went beyond football.
Palestinian flags were scattered among the crowd of nearly 28,000 at Education City Stadium, one of the venues for the 2022 World Cup, and their consolation goal just before half-time got the biggest cheer of the night.
Loud cries went up for the Palestinian anthem before the game and the teamās players put their arms around each otherās shoulders.
A brief momentās silence was held before kick-off, the quiet punctuated by cries of āfree Palestine.ā
Captain Musab Al-Battat said on the eve of the game that the players were determined to āput a smile on the faces of the Palestinian peopleā despite the teamās difficult build-up.
Some players have lost loved ones in Israelās bombardment of the besieged, Hamas-run territory of Gaza, a response to Hamasās October 7 attack on southern Israel.
The Palestinian team have been forced to play matches and train overseas in the lead-up to their third Asian Cup.
The war began when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack which resulted in about 1,140 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Hamas, considered a āterroristā group by the United States and the European Union, also seized about 250 hostages, 132 of whom Israel says remain in Gaza, including at least 25 believed to have been killed.
Israel launched a relentless military campaign that has killed at least 23,968 people in the Palestinian territory, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.
Palestine were chasing a first victory in their seventh attempt in the Asian Cup.
But they were behind after little over one minute, attacker Karim Ansarifard rattling the ball into the bottom corner for an Iran team who are among the favorites in Qatar.
Iran, who are pursuing a record-equalling fourth continental crown, made it 2-0 on 12 minutes when Shojae Khalilzadeh swept home unmarked from close range following a free kick.
The defender went to celebrate but then appeared to hold back, before he was congratulated by his teammates.
Loud cheers erupted on the rare occasions that the Palestinians, ranked 99th in the world to Iranās 21, went on the attack.
Iran looked like scoring every time they went forward and they made it 3-0 seven minutes before half-time, Feyenoord winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh playing in Mehdi Ghayedi to side-foot into the bottom corner.
But the biggest roar of the night came right on the stroke of half-time when Tamer Seyam headed in from close range.
The Palestinian pointed skyward in a muted celebration, tears in his eyes.
Iran scored a fourth soon after the break through Romaās Sardar Azmoun.
Palestineās next game is on Thursday against the UAE. Iran play Hong Kong the following day.
Palestine score but well beaten by Iran at Asian Cup
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Palestine score but well beaten by Iran at Asian Cup
- Loud cries went up for the Palestinian anthem before the game and the teamās players put their arms around each otherās shoulders
- A brief momentās silence was held before kick-off, the quiet punctuated by cries of āfree Palestineā