Palestine downs Chinese-Taipei for 3rd

PALESTINE finally played like a team bound for the continent’s biggest tournament in extra time as it overwhelmed Chinese-Taipei, 7-3, last night to take third place in the Philippine Peace Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Missing key players, the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers averted a disastrous finish as they poured home four goals in the extension period to register their maiden victory in the four-nation tournament.

The defending champion Philippine Azkals and Burma (Myanmar) were playing for the title at presstime.

Ahmed Wridat scored four goals, including three in extra time to finish with five goals for the tournament. The Palestinians took a 2-0 lead after eight minutes with Javier Mereles and Wridat finding the back of the net.

But the Taiwanese, who bowed to the Philippines, 1-5, last Wednesday, came charging back through a Wu Pai-ho penalty and a Yen Ho-shen goal in the second half.

Lin Chang-lun earned the penalty that gave the Taiwanese a lifeline in a match that was expected to be dominated by the Palestinians.

With extra time looming, Lin Chang-Lun gave Chinese Taipei a 3-2 lead just before stoppage time.

But the Palestinians had just enough time for the equalizer with Abdulhamid Abuhabib equalizing two minutes into stoppage time.

It was all Palestine from there as Wridat struck just five minutes in, before Abdallatif Albahdari made it 5-3. Wridat scored two more goals, underlining the dominance of coach Jamal Mahmoud’s side.

Palestine lost to Burma, 1-4, last Wednesday.