Hong Kong vs Palestine 0-3: AFC Asian Cup 2023 – as it happened

That’s it from the live coverage of Hong Kong against Palestine.

What a match that was and what a performance from Palestine.

They progress alongside Iran and UAE, who finish first and second respectively, from Group C.

We’ll be back with more action from both the Asian Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow.

Do join us for those games if you can.

For now from Hafsa Adil and myself Kevin Hand, it’s goodbye.

PALESTINE 🇵🇸 is in the #AsianCup2023 Round of 16

Their first ever win in the AFC Asian Cup secures them a spot in the next round #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/Thn5ioVGPN

— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) January 23, 2024

To say that Palestine fans are proud of their team would be an understatement.

All of the Palestine supporters that Al Jazeera spoke with said that their team’s win means more than just a result on the pitch.

“It shows the world that we are one people – we may not be allowed to live in our homeland but we stand united and will always fight for our cause, be it football or freedom,” Linah Abdul Fattah said outside the stadium.

It was as comfortable a victory as the scoreline suggests.

All of the stats were dominated by Palestine.

FT | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, China 0️⃣-3️⃣ Palestine 🇵🇸

Palestine produce a remarkable performance and book their place in the Round of 16!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #HKGvPLE pic.twitter.com/2NVO5B4Vjj

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2024

✨ 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐃 ✨⁣⁣⁣

𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑. 𝐆𝐈𝐕𝐄. 𝐔𝐏.

🇵🇸 Palestine’s #AsianCup2023 journey continues! #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/3LFfPP5NEq

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2024

The tears won’t stop for Mohammed Saleh, who went down on the pitch as soon as the referee blew the full-time whistle. He performed a sajda and then covered his face with his shirt as he wept uncontrollably.

Saleh, who is one of the few players on this team hailing from Gaza, has spoken about the difficulties of playing football while his family and friends struggle to survive the war there.

A 2-1 win for Iran but Yayha Al Ghassani’s goal is enough for UAE to hold onto second spot.

FT | 🇮🇷 IR Iran 2️⃣-1️⃣UAE 🇦🇪

IR Iran top the group with a perfect record as the UAE’s late goal sees them finish in 2nd place ⚽️#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #IRNvUAE pic.twitter.com/A0NqZasmHt

— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) January 23, 2024

Hong Kong striker Matt Orr admits his side were second best.

“From the first whistle we weren’t there, but Palestine brought the energy today,” he told the official broadcast.

“We need to fight and hope we can get back here. We’ve learned that we can compete with the best in Asia.”

As it stands, they finish third and their points return will be enough to send them through.

Another Iran goal and Palestine will move back up to second.

Palestine are through to the knock-out stage.

Full-time: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

Straight from the missed kick, Palestine burst to the other end but no chance was created.

UAE’s goal has moved them second, so the penalty miss keeps alive Palestine’s hopes of a fourth goal and taking second spot.

90+9 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

Everton hits the bar.

90+9 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

Al Battat is not happy.

It doesn’t change the group even if it goes in.

90+7 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

The ball kicked up to hit the hand of Al Battat off his own boot.

This will be interesting.

90+5 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

The sub is only just off-target, and that looked as though it was going in.

As it stands, UAE reclaim second spot.

90+4 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

Can you believe it?

What a tense wait it is now as UAE pull one back in stoppage time.

The sub is set through on the right and shoots wide from just inside the box.

He should have hit the target.

90+2 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

It’s still 2-0 to Iran in the other match, but there’s 13 minutes of stoppage time in that game.

90 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

It’s getting tetchy out there and Palestine mustn’t get involved.

They have the game and qualification.

No one needs to miss the next round.

86 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine

Amongst it all, Palestine have made all their changes – including two of the star performers.

Maybe this risks second spot, which they still hold from UAE.

85 minutes: Hong Kong 0-3 Palestine