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Palestine and Syria qualified for the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for the first time on Tuesday with victories in their last group matches.
Syria beat India 1-0 after Omar Khribin -- the 2017 Asian Footballer of the Year -- netted in the 76th minute to give the Middle Eastern side their first goal of the tournament.
Syria finished with four points and the AFC later clarified that they are also through to the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams across all groups "regardless of final results from other groups".
It marks the first time Syria have advanced to the knockouts since their Asian Cup debut in 1980.
India exit the competition without scoring a goal in three losses.
Syria interviewer crying with translator after win
Syria's translator and interviewer couldn't hold back the tears after they qualified for the Asian Cup Round of 16.
Manager Héctor Cúper wasn't quite as emotional.pic.twitter.com/isREKgV1pT— COPA90 (@Copa90) January 23, 2024
Syria are in the Asian Cup last 16 for the first time in history after beating India 1-0.
Incredible pic.twitter.com/3aN9JssUZP— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 23, 2024
Palestine wrapped up their Group C campaign in style with a 3-0 win over Hong Kong after Oday Dabbagh grabbed a double, securing their spot in the last-16 as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Iran won the group after beating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to finish with nine points.
Palestine were on course to finish second when Iran led UAE 2-0. But an injury-time goal from UAE's Yahya Al-Ghassani pushed Palestine back to third on goal difference after both teams finished with four points.
Palestine opened the scoring when Dabbagh powered home a header under pressure in the 12th minute while Zeid Qunbar doubled the lead with a header across goal.
PALESTINE TAKE THE LEAD AGAINST HONG KONG IN THE ASIAN CUP! pic.twitter.com/RsRGAXREcr
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 23, 2024
PALESTINE HAVE A SECOND!
They look to advance to their FIRST-EVER major tournament knockout stage. pic.twitter.com/xmLa7LCpa9— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 23, 2024
Dabbagh then got his second when he was in the right place at the right time to tap in a rebound when Tamer Seyam saw his curling strike come back off the crossbar.
Palestine are well on their way to winning their first-ever AFC Asian Cup match AND advancing to the knockout stage. pic.twitter.com/7Almi8Xq2P
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 23, 2024
Hong Kong had the opportunity to score a consolation goal when they were awarded a penalty after a VAR check but Everton Camargo's spot kick came off the bar.
EVERTON CAMARGO HITS THE BAR!
Palestine take the 3-0 victory and have a high likelihood of advancing to the AFC Asian Cup KO stage for the first time, pending tomorrow's results. pic.twitter.com/JzTpLFoqLi— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 23, 2024
Mehdi Taremi scored twice for Iran in their victory, with both goals assisted by Sardar Azmoun either side of halftime.
Al-Ghassani had seen a penalty saved earlier by Iran keeper Alireza Beiranvand but the UAE forward found the bottom corner in the 93rd minute for the crucial goal that moved them back to second to qualify despite the defeat.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Al Wakrah, Qatar; editing by Pritha Sarkar, Christian Radnedge and Toby Davis)
