PH, Palestine fighting for Asian Cup

(Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — Philippines is fighting against Palestine today in the AFC Challenge Cup final to secure a place in the Asian Cup which will be held next year in Australia.

PH Team Coach Thomas Dooley said in a report published by Agance France-Presse that his team is confident to show the world that they belong to a higher grade in football, adding that the team ranked 140 in the world and 21st in Asia.

“We came to the Maldives to win the Challenge Cup and are one step away from doing that,” Dooley said after the Philippine team defeated the host, Maldives with 3-2 score in extra-time last Tuesday.

“We want to play at the next level, that is not a secret,” Dooley said. “But our biggest goal is to step up and play with the big guys in the Asian Cup. When you play, and believe in it, you will be successful so that’s why we are going step-by-step.”

Meanwhile, Palestine coach Jamal Mahmoud said his team, who ranked 34th in Asia, they have been brought closer to their dreams after winning against Afghanistan with a score of 2-0.

“It is not enough to be playing in the final, we have to win it too,” Mahmoud said.

The two teams who never experienced playing in the Asian Cup will be fighting at the national stadium in Male today to win the slot and join the other defending champions including Japan, Jordan and Iraq in group D of the Asian Cup in January.

With reports from Agence France-Presse