The PFA faced obstacles to on-field success few other national teams have come up against, even before Israel launched its military offensive on Gaza in 2023 in response to an attack by militant group Hamas on its southern border.
Coach Makram Daboub and his squad, however, have confounded the odds and retain a chance of representing Palestine at the 2026 Finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"The restrictions on our movement, the suffocating policies by the Israelis have paralysed everything," Jibril Rajoub, the PFA president, said in an interview with Reuters last week.
"We suspended everything, including the national league but, in spite of this, we have insisted on continuing our participation in competitions, and that includes the World Cup qualification.
This story is from the November 05, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 05, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Percival Everett wins US National Book Award for fiction
American author Percival Everett won the US National Book Award for fiction on Nov 20 for his novel James, a propulsive and slyly funny retelling of American writer Mark Twain's Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1884) from the perspective of Huck's companion, an enslaved man named James.
Actor Jussie Smollett's conviction for staged attack overturned
American actor Jussie Smollett's conviction for fabricating a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago in 2019 was overturned on Nov 21 on due process grounds.
K-pop CD output draws fire as plastic waste talks loom
SEOUL - K-pop music may be South Korea's buzziest export, but the industry needlessly creates mountains of plastic in its home market by churning out CDs that most fans do not even listen to, critics say.
Actress Yvonne Lim returning to Singapore after 10 years in Taiwan
Singaporean actress Yvonne Lim is ready for a new chapter in her life. The 48-year-old announced on social media on Nov 21 that she has opened a YouTube channel.
Striking scenes from abstract triptych in Puppet Origin Stories
A wilfully abstract triptych of stories that make up the third edition of Puppet Origin Stories will frustrate the theatregoer in search of meaning, but delight those who can surrender to the weird and affecting visual scenes crafted on stage.
Kim Soo-hyun samples local food and finds it 'very satisfying'
The K-drama star is here to promote his new series as part of Disney's showcase of upcoming Asian titles
Entrepreneur rediscovers her need for speed
Ms Janice Oo lives out the famous line from the 1986 Hollywood flick, Top Gun, when the lead character \"Maverick\", played by Tom Cruise, declared: \"I feel the need, the need for speed.\"
Timeless Velar refreshed with hybrid engine
The model by Range Rover is relaxing to drive, but the controls feel lighter and less direct than those of its rivals
Wish come true for BYD buyers with families
The M6 is the first mid-sized electric seven-seater to be available here
Subtle serenity
Newly-weds pick clean, functional Japandi aesthetic for their HDB flat
