Palestine Draws New Zealand in China Cup, Coach Praises Team's Performance

The Palestinian national football team, nicknamed "The Brave," drew 2-2 with New Zealand in their opening match of the China International Cup. The goals for Palestine were scored by Asad Al-Halaqma and Oday Al-Dabbagh.

Head coach Ihab Abu Jazar expressed his satisfaction with the team's debut performance, highlighting their positive play and ability to control possession, which exceeded 60% at times. He described the match as an excellent experience and a crucial step in preparing the team against diverse football styles and assessing their technical and tactical readiness.

The China International Cup is part of the Palestinian team's preparation program for upcoming challenges, most notably the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers to be held in Saudi Arabia.

The Palestinian team is scheduled to play their next match against Tajikistan on September 28th at 3:00 PM, followed by their final game against China on October 2nd at 2:35 PM.