On Wednesday (9th March) the Palestinian national soccer team lost out on a place at next year's Olympic Games in London after they found themselves on the wrong end of a 6-5 scoreline against Thailand on penalties in Al-Ram on the West Bank.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Bangkok, Abdul Hamid Abuhabib scored the only goal for the home side just before half-time, but they couldn't add to their advantage and after extra time they lost out in the shootout.
However, the game could assume greater importance in the years to come - it marked the first time that Palestine had hosted a competitive match at international level and their fans are hoping that the event represents another step on road to independence.
SUGGESTED VOICEOVER:
The Palestinian national football team played host to Thailand in the second leg of their Olympic qualifier in Al-Ram on the West Bank on Wednesday in a football match of great significance - it was to be the first time that Palestine had hosted an international on home soil.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the head of the Palestinian Football Union, Jibril Rajoub, said it would represent another step on the long road to independence.
SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)
"For the first time in the history of Palestine under the Palestinian flag we will be hosting the second leg match on the Palestinian land. This step must be a breakthrough for the cause of the Palestinian people, which is independence, freedom and an end to the occupation."
SUPER CAPTION: Jibril Rajoub, Head of the Palestinian Football Union
The match itself was played at the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in the West Bank town of Al-Ram and attracted a partisan crowd, hoping for a home victory.
Thailand won the first leg 1-0 in Bangkok and set out to defend their narrow lead - however, Palestine got back on level terms just before half-time when Abdul Hamid Abuhabib scored what turned out to be the only goal of the game.
After a goalless second half and extra time, the dreaded penalty shot-out ensued and to the dismay of the home support, which included Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Jibril Rajoub, the Thais won out by 6 goals to five.
Nevertheless, Wednesday's match did represent a great sporting victory for Palestine.
According to Rajoub, the last time an international athletic competition took place in what are now the Palestinian territories was way back in 1934.
That game was played in east Jerusalem, then part of British Mandatory Palestine prior to Israeli independence in 1948.
The exact history behind the occasion is unclear, but it is believed a British team comprising of both Arabs and Jews lost 4-1 to an Egyptian team.
SHOTLIST:
Ramallah, West Bank. 9th March and Al-Ram, West Bank. 9th March 2011
Ramallah, West Bank:
1. 00:00 Wide shot of press conference
2. 00:07 Cutaway
3. 00:11 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, Head of Palestinian Football Union
Al-Ram, West Bank:
4. 00:49 Various of match action in the second leg of the Palestine-Thailand qualifier
5. 01:06 Mid shot of Palestinian fans waving flags
6. 01:13 Mid shot female Palestinian supporters
7. 01:21 Further of match action
8. 01:58 Mid shot of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam fayyad and Head of Palestinian Football Union Jibril Rajoub
9. 02:07 Further of match action
10: 02:26 Palestinian team in a 'huddle'
