DOHA: Palestine finished top of Group A at the Arab Cup on Sunday after a goalless draw with Syria on the final matchday, while Tunisia’s victory over hosts Qatar was not enough to secure qualification.
Heading into the final round, Palestine and Syria sat three points clear of both Qatar and Tunisia, knowing a draw between the two in Al Rayyan would be enough to send both through. After a largely uneventful contest at Education City Stadium, that is exactly how it played out, with the 0-0 result confirming progression for both sides and seeing Palestine claim top spot on goal difference.
In the group’s other fixture, ten-player Tunisia ended their campaign with a 3-0 win over Qatar but were eliminated due to the earlier result. Sami Trabelsi’s side took the lead when Mohamed Ben Romdhane reacted quickest to power home a rebound after Seifeddine Jaziri’s initial effort was saved.
Tunisia doubled their advantage just after the hour as Yassine Meriah headed in at the back post following a clever flick-on from Ferjani Sassi off Ben Romdhane’s corner. Jaziri was then dismissed for a second yellow card, briefly giving Qatar hope, but the Eagles of Carthage remained in control and completed the scoring through Mohamed Benali’s deflected strike.
The draw between Palestine and Syria, witnessed by more than 40,000 fans, featured few clear chances, with a Syrians penalty appeal overturned following a VAR review.
Palestine and Syria advance to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Arab Cup for the first time, where Saudi Arabia and either Morocco or Oman await in the knockout stage.
