SNTV Features

Brazilian football star Ronaldo received a hero's welcome in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, with hundreds of well wishers jostling to get a glimpse of the Real Madrid footballer during a visit on Monday. (16th May 2005)

Ronaldo, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Program was on a one day visit to the region which also included a trip to Israel.

He was there to participate in a UNDP project that brings young Israeli and Palestinian football players together.

SUGGESTED VOICE OVER:

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Monday (16th May 2005) to greet Ronaldo, the Brazilian football star.

Visiting in his capacity as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Real Madrid player wanted to take a first-hand look at UNDP youth and anti-poverty projects .

Fans - including a busload of Brazilian-born Palestinians wearing the country's yellow-and-green jersey - chanted "Ronaldo, Ronaldo" and pushed the player's bodyguards in an attempt to touch their hero.

Surrounded by a tight ring of bodyguards to get through the chanting crowds, Ronaldo first visited the office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia where he signed footballs.

The beaming Qureia escorted Ronaldo out of the building before he continued on to a local school, where the superstar received yet another boisterous welcome.

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese)

"I only wanted to say how happy I am to be making this visit and how proud I am to see everybody so happy around me. I hope you'll enjoy my presence very much. I thank you for this marvellous reception and I hope to return many more times, always on a mission of peace."

SUPERCAPTION: Ronaldo

During his visit to Ramallah, Ronaldo inaugurated a new Centre for Disadvantaged Youth and visited several anti-poverty UNDP projects.

They include the UNDP's "Football Workshops", which have been designed to promote sport as a forum to teach leadership, confidence, and discipline, based on the principles of tolerance, cooperation, and respect.

Later on, Ronaldo visited Israel as a special guest of the Peres Centre for peace.

Ronaldo and Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres met at the "Twinned Peace Football Schools", which are a part of a Palestinian-Israeli project to bring children closer together through sport.

SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese)

"It's a real pleasure to be here and it's a real pleasure for me to see how many people are happy about my presence. I know that football can bring people together and try and bring about peace and put an end to their problems"

SUPERCAPTION: Ronaldo

Ronaldo was there to meet some 800 young Palestinian and Israeli participants of the project who will play in mixed teams in a tournament held in his honour.

SHOTLIST: Ramallah - Palestine - 16th May 2005

Betuniya checkpoint, near Ramallah, West Bank

1. 00:00 - UN trucks accompany Ronaldo through checkpoint

2. 00:20 - Ronaldo stepping out of car, crowds cheering and chanting his name

Ramallah, West Bank

3. 00:45 - Ronaldo arriving, surrounded by fans and crowds

4. 00:49 - Ronaldo makes his way through the door

5. 01:05 - Meeting Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia

6. 01:12 - Ronaldo signing ball with a placard in yellow with his number "9" on it

7. 01:15 - Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia

8. 01:24 - Ronaldo waves as he leaves

9. 01:35 - Supporters in Brazil shirts cheering in car as they drive past

10. 01:42 - Inside sports centre at Al-Hashimiya school

11. 01:47 - Child holding up Brazil football shirt

12. 01:53 - Ronaldo arrives, and waves

13. 01:58 - Crowd of young fans cheering him as he walks in

14. 02:08 - SOUNDBITE: Ronaldo (Portuguese)

15. 02:43 - Ronaldo leaves surrounded by crowds pushing and shoving to get closer to him

16. 02:51 - Ronaldo, at a new centre named in his honour, posing for photo wearing a Keffiyeh (traditional Palestinian headscarf) with someone holding Palestinian flag behind him

17. 03:00 - His car leaves, surrounded by supporters

Herzliya, Central Israel 16/06

18. 03:15 - Wideshot of fans waiting for Ronaldo

19. 03:20 - Close up of Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres arriving

20. 03:25 - Ronaldo and Shimon Peres walking together

21. 03:36 - Crowds around Ronaldo

22. 03:40 - Shimon Peres

23. 04:46 - Ronaldo and kids in group photo

24. 04:10 - Shimon Peres and Ronaldo together

25. 04:23 - SOUNDBITE: Ronaldo (portuguese)

26. 05:02 - Ronaldo walking among the crowds of fans

Palestinian Football Federation threatens to urge next month's FIFA Congress in Brazil to take sanctions against Israel in protest against alleged recent attacks by soldiers on Palestinian sportsmen in the occupied territories.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Federation (PFF), threatened to call for sanctions against Israel in protest against alleged recent attacks by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian sportsmen.

Rajoub, who is also head of the Palestine Olympic Committee, referred to the recent arrest of a Palestine footballer and the shooting of two other players who were reportedly shot in the legs by Israel soldiers.

Jawhar Nasser Jawhar, 19, and Adam Abd al-Raouf Halabiya, 17, were allegedly shot at al-Zaayyem checkpoint near Abu Dis in Jerusalem as they walked home from their sports club.

Doctors have since confirmed the pair is unlikely to be able to play sports again due to the severity of their injuries.

On returning from Jordan where they received treatment they were arrested.

Last month a player of Palestine national soccer team, Sameh Moraebe, 22, was arrested by Israeli military forces en route to Qatar.

Coach Jamal Mahmoud has denounced the arrest of the players.

PFF is threatening to take its grievances to the FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo on June 10th-11th that will be held just before the start of the World Cup in Brazil.

The Palestinians have long accused Israel of restricting sport people's mobility inside the West Bank and between the West Bank and Gaza, preventing players from participating in international tournaments and banning the entry of sports equipment that Palestinian teams and stadiums need.

Israel justifies these measures on security grounds.

Rajoub had previously raised the issue of travel for Palestinian athletes at the FIFA congress in Mauritius in June last year. There, he said that, should the matter not be resolved, he would call on delegates to expel Israel at the next congress

The 150th-ranked Palestine football team's next important international match, when it needs players to travel freely, is at the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, to be held in the Maldives over May 19-30.

The winner of the eight-nation tournament advances to the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

West Bank, Palestine. 13 May, 2014.

1. 00:00 Various of the Palestinian FA head quarter

2. 00:12 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, President Of Palestinian Football Federation (PFF):

" Without a doubt its a provocative act. the shooting and arrest of the players after coming back from a treatment defies the whole world. Israel will pay the price next month's at the FIFA congress".

3. 00:27 Mid of Adam Halabiya in hospital

4. 00:31 Close-up of heart rate monitor

5. 00:35 Close-up of Adam Halabiya

6. 00:39 Close-up of Adam Halabiya hand

7. 00:43 Mid of Jawhar Halabiya

8. 00:47 Close-up of Jawhar Halabiya

9. 00:51 Close-up of Jawhar Halabiya hands

10. 00:55 Mid of Adam Halabiya in hospital

11. 00:59 Close-up of Nasser Jawhar Halabiya

12. 01:03 Mid of Jerusalem

13. 01:07 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Nasser Jawhar Halabiya, Father of Jawhar Halabiya

" Their return was a setback for us, their arrest is setback for us and the country. Everyone were waiting for them to come back safe".

14. 01:18 Various of the palestinian team training

15. 01:30 Close- up of Palestinian coach Jamal Mahmoud talking to the players

16. 01:33 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Jamal Mahmoud, Palestine Coach

" I hope they were with us, because that would be an extra for us, but the occupation always put obstacles for the Palestinian sport".

17. 01:46 Various of the palestinian team training

18. 01:57 Various GV of the West Bank

World Cup trophy put on display in Ramallah.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The FIFA World Cup arrived on Sunday (10th November) to the West Bank city of Ramallah.

The golden trophy is going on a tour around the world and is scheduled to visit 90 countries during its 267-day duration.

The cup has already been on display in the Caribbean before reaching the Middle East for the first time.

Ramallah, Palestine - 10th November 2013

1. 00:00 Wide shot of Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub and other officials uncovering the World Cup

2. 00:10 Mid shot of same

3. 00:16 Various of trophy

4. 00:25 SOUNDBITE (English) Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub:

"It is an eminence honour and joy for the Palestinian people and for the Palestinian football family to have the World Cup here in Palestine. I think it is a clear cut message to the international community by FIFA that Palestinian sport entity is existing and deserve support and protection from the Israeli occupation."

5. 00:53 Rajoub with officials taking picture near cup

Palestine look to make history in Asian Cup meeting with Jordan.

Palestine head coach Ahmed Al Hassan criticised his Jordan counterpart Ray Wilkins on Thursday (15th January) ahead of their crucial Asian Cup Group D fixture in Melbourne.

Palestine took offence to Wilkins describing Jordan's opening match with Iraq as most likely determining which team will advance from the group along likely leaders Japan.

Jordan went on to lost the match 1-0 - something Al-Hassan pointed out on Thursday before adding that his team is ready to do its talking on the pitch when they meet on Friday (16th January).

Al-Hassan also said that despite losing its opener with Japan 4-0, Palestine had completed their political task by appearing at the Asian Cup with the Palestinian flag displayed and the national anthem played before the match.

Now he says the team must complete its two sporting objectives - beating Jordan and Iraq and advancing to the knockout stage.

Palestine defender Abdallatif Al-Bahdari, who will be facing seven of his team-mates from Jordanian club Al-Wehdat, said he is looking forward to earning dressing room bragging rights with a victory.

SHOTLIST: Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - 15th January, 2015.

1. 00:00 - Pan into Palestine training from goalpost

2. 00:09 - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium to Palestine training

3. 00:25 - Palestine players running on field

4. 00:36 - Palestine head coach Ahmed Al Hassan walking on pitch

5. 00:46 - SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine head coach:

"All I can say is that our response will be in the match. I am a person who doesn't give much statements and do everything possible on the field, so our response will be tomorrow. Every person is responsible for his own statements. All I can say is that, we will see tomorrow."

6. 01:23 - Palestine goalkeepers stretching on the pitch

7. 01:31 - Palestine players stretching

8. 01:39 - Ahmed Al Hassan kicking a football

9. 01:48 - SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine head coach (on Palestine achieving their political goals at the Asian Cup)

"From a sports perspective it also has two points. The first point is to play a match against Jordan that is up to the challenge and to win this match and to achieve a victory for Palestine. And the other goal is if Allah wanted and we win the match against Jordan tomorrow, that we are going to play Iraq with high motivation on the intention and determination of another victory to make it to the next round.

10. 02:40 Palestine defender Abdallatif Al-Bahdari running with team

11. 02:57 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdallatif Albahdari, Palestine defender (on facing seven of his club team-mates in the Jordan team):

"Tomorrow I am going to play against seven of my team players and I will do my best to perform in a way that we will make a victory and I will defeat my seven other friends in the same club in Jordan."

12. 03:30 Palestine team huddled.

Palestine trained in Sydney on Wednesday (7th January) ahead of their first ever Asian Cup finals match. Ahmed El-Hassan's side will make their major tournament debut against reigning Asian Champions Japan in Newcastle on Monday (12th January).

Winners of last year's AFC Challenge Cup, Palestine will be appearing at their first ever Asian Cup in Australia this month and their opening match could hardly pose more of a challenge for Ahmed El-Hassan and his squad.

Palestine will face Japan, the reigning continental champions and four time Asian Cup winners in their first ever major finals match when the two square off in the Group D fixture in Newcastle on Monday.

The Palestinian squad held a training session at the Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday where they were welcomed by a number of supporters from the local area.

One fan had even made up a custom shirt - half Australian and half Palestinian.

Nicknamed the Knights, Palestine have often struggled to field full strength sides in international fixtures due to restrictions on the movements of their players imposed by Israel.

Indeed, following the 2014 conflict last year Palestine was only able to name 14 players in their official squad - instead of the usual 23 - for Peace Cup games in the Philippines last September.

Six players were unable to leave Gaza while others were denied access to the West Bank in order to attend the pre-tournament training camp.

Nevertheless, Palestine arrive in Australia full of optimism ahead of their debut in a major tournament.

Led by their captain, goalkeeper Ramzi Saleh, and their star striker Ashraf Alfawaghra, whose goals proved decisive in last year's Challenge Cup victory, underdogs Palestine will be hoping to shock their group rivals.

After Japan on Monday they will take on Jordan in Melbourne before playing the 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq in Canberra.

Wilson Park, Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales, Australia. 7th January, 2015.

1. 00:00 Wide of Palestine training

2. 00:07 Players practice passing the ball

3. 00:17 Close of striker Ashraf Alfawaghra

4. 00:28 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ashraf Alfawaghra, Palestine striker (on representing his country at the Asian Cup):

"Palestine for us all is a matter of pride and honour for every Palestinian with a Palestinian nationality , we are here to represent Palestine regardless of the results in matches especially against Japan, Iraq and Jordan. We have been talked about a lot in recent years especially that we won the best team in Asia award, this sent out a message to the World, the Arab world the European world that Palestine is on the map , Palestine has to have a state and has to have stability and freedom and in this championship we hope that the world looks at us politically or sportingly , look at the Palestinian people and the Palestinian sports."

5. 01:32 Alfawaghra at training

6. 01:42 Alexis Norabuena controls a ball

7. 01:51 Palestine captain Ramzi Saleh makes a save in goal 8. 01:57 Palestine coach Ahmed El-Hassan

9. 02:05 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed El-Hassan, Palestine coach (on Palestine's Asian Cup debut):

"This event is one of the best Asian and world events and we are in it for two reasons, first for a sporting goal and for a political goal. The sporting goal is to send out a message that Palestinians can practice sports like any other people on the planet and from the political angle is that we are the only team here among the sixteen teams that is still under occupation, this a strong message to the world that it's time our people get the freedom to practice sports like any other people on earth."

10. 02:41 Wide of players during training drill

11. 02:50 Pan of local Palestinian supporters watching the squad train

12. 02:58 Tilt up of fan wearing half Palestine, half Australia football shirt

13. 03:03 Ahmed Wridat during a drill

14. 03:11 Coach El-Hassan looks on

15. 03:17 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed El-Hassan, Palestine coach (on Palestine's opening game versus Japan):

"I am aware of the ability of the Japanese players but in the same time I have faith in the ability of our players, we know that there are differences in terms of level between the two sides, their individualities between the Japanese teams and the Palestinian team, but I say the Palestinian team will play with a determined way and organised way and we will play in an honourable way."

16. 03:44 El-Hassan at training

17. 03:49 Squad training

18. 04:01 Wide of children playing football during training session

19. 04:12 Closing shot of training

Palestine midfielder Musab Al Battat talked on Wednesday about the difficulties Palestinian football players face due to restrictions on movement imposed on Palestinian people by the Israeli occupation, when he spoke ahead of their 2019 Asian Cup campaign in Doha.

"It's very difficult to bring everyone to the same place to train together in the Palestinian Territories. We only gather at training camps, outside historical Palestine. Sometimes in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, and other countries as well," said Al Battat.

"The Israeli Occupation prevents them (footballers) from joining the Palestinian national team. It is the right of any footballer to play for their national team," he added.  

Palestine are in Group B of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, along with Australia, the reigning champions, Syria and Jordan.

Doha, Qatar. 26th December 2018.

1. 00:00 Palestine training session

2. 00:11 Palestine head coach Noureddine Ould Ali

3. 00:15 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Musab Al Battat, Palestine midfielder:

(About the difficulties of training under Israeli occupation)

"The Palestinian national team is the only national team worldwide that has a real difficulty in setting up a training camp on home soil in the Palestinian Territories that includes players from the Gaza Strip, those from the West Bank and the diaspora, whether it's Chile or other countries. It's very difficult to bring everyone to the same place to train together in the Palestinian Territories. We only gather at training camps, outside historical Palestine. Sometimes in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates, and other countries as well. We train as a group only in these training camps. Thankfully, we managed to gather for over 20 days this time around in preparation for the competition (2019 Asian Cup). All players are present and we hope everyone is prepared for this competition and that everyone plays to their best abilities."

4. 01:08 Palestine training session

5. 01:26 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Musab Al Battat, Palestine midfielder:

(About the difficulties of training under Israeli occupation)

"There are player that are unable to join us here, especially those who live in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Occupation prevents them from joining the Palestinian national team. It is the right of any footballer to play for their national team. For some it's almost impossible to leave the Gaza Strip. There are even players in the diaspora that have Palestinian roots but no one knows about them. This is because the Palestinian people are sadly dispersed all over, some in Gaza, some in the West Bank and other in the diaspora."

6. 02:06 Palestine training session

7. 02:13 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Musab Al Battat, Palestine midfielder:

(About Palestine's participation in 2019 Asian Cup)

"Of course, this is not the first time Palestine take part in the Asian Cup. We hope to learn from this experience. We hope to start the competition in good spirits, and be ready to win in every match. We aim to win or draw in all matches. We hope to be successful and take as many points as possible to qualify to the second round."

8. 02:50 Palestine goalkeepers training

9. 02:54 Noureddine Ould Ali

10. 02:59 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Musab Al Battat, Palestine midfielder:

(On Palestine's group - Group B)

"We are in one of the most difficult groups in the competition. Our group includes, Australia, the reigning champions, Syria and Jordan. It's a difficult group, but not an impossible one. We'll focus on every match and hope to be up to the task. We aim to qualify and please our supporters."

11. 03:42 Noureddine Ould Ali talking to his players

12. 03:45 Palestine training

13. 03:54 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Musab Al Battat, Palestine midfielder:

(About the future goal of the Palestinian national team)

"Our peoples' happiness is very important for the Palestinian national team, wherever they may be. We want to unite our people behind us."

14. 04:10 Noureddine Ould Ali

Fans gathered at Newcastle Stadium on Monday (12th January) ahead of the Palestine's major tournament debut, a Group D clash against Japan at the Asian Cup.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine has never played in the Asian Cup finals, they qualified for the tournament after success in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives.

Palestine beat the Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup final, but also registered wins over Afghanistan, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan along the way to victory.

The team will make their Asian Cup debut against Japan at the Newcastle Stadium in Newcastle, Australia on Monday (12th January).

Their task doesn't come much harder, Japan are the defending champions and four-time winners of the competition.

Also in Group D are Iraq and Jordan.

Newcastle Stadium, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia - 12th November 2015.

1. 00:00 Tilt down from Palestine flags to fans

2. 00:08 Fans before kick off

3. 00:17 A young Palestine fan

4. 00:26 A family of fans 5.

00:32 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abu Ahmed, Palestine fan:

"We support the Palestine team because this is first time for us to participate in this tournament. We wish success to our team and we hope to see them in a World Cup."

6. 00:56 Fan with half Australia, half Palestine shirt

7. 01:03 Another fan with a half and half shirt

8. 01:13 Japan fans meet Palestine fans

9. 01:25 Young Japan fans

10. 01:35 Japanese fans welcome their team

11. 01:41 Palestine fans

12. 01:49 Tilt up of Ziad Zekkour

13. 01:56 SOUNDBITE: (English) Ziad Zekkour, Palestine fan:

"I think it's a big thing because it's the first time for them to make it this far to anything. So it's putting them on the map of the soccer world - people will look more closely at what is going on there. Next time they don't qualify, they'll ask why not! So yeah, it's really good."

14. 02:17 Zekkour poses with Japan fans

15. 02:29 Tilt up of Palestine fan to flag

16. 02:37 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ferass Zekkour, Palestine fan:

"It's our duty as Palestinians to stop the occupation. This participation gives message to the world that we represent a state and we are among the big teams in Asia, which is very big thing to us. We don't care if we lose, we are happy for the participation itself."

17. 03:20 Fans before kick off

18. 03:26 Fans pose for photos

19. 03:32 Closing shot of Japanese and Palestinian fans

Palestine and the United Arab Emirates prepare for for their World Cup qualifier.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

The Palestine national football team are preparing to host their first ever World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, as their team takes on the United Arab Emirates in the first in a series of high-profile matches in the West Bank.

The UAE national team arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday (6th September) to play a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Palestine.

The match will take place at the Faisal Al Husseini Stadium in the West Bank town of Al Ram on Tuesday, the first competitive tie to be played by the Palestine senior national side in their homeland.

On Monday, The UAE conducted a training session at the Faisal Al Husseini Stadium, which holds 12,500 fans and has an artificial-turf pitch. The match is scheduled for the following evening with a kick-off time of 1400 GMT.

Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestine Football Association, described the match in Group A of the Asian Zone qualifiers as "historic".

The UAE opened their qualifying campaign in June with a 1-0 victory against East Timor. They are currently third in Group A, level on three points with top-placed Palestine and second-place Saudi Arabia.

Palestine, who defeated Malaysia 6-0 also in June, have played one match more.

SNTV

Ramalah Al -Ram, West Bank. 6th and 7th September 2015.

1. 00:00 Wide of the United Arab Emirates football team arriving at Faisal Al Husseini Stadium in the West Bank town of Al Ram.

2. 00:09 Various of the United Arab Emirates football team players getting out of the bus

SNTV

Ramallah, West Bank. 7th September 2015

3. 00:31 Wide of press conference of the Palestinian football team coach Nour El-Din Walad Ali .

4. 00:36 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nour El-Din Walad Ali, Palestine coach:

"First, I welcome our brothers, the Emirates team, to Palestine and I hope we will have a big celebration because the Palestinians need to celebrate. For the game, we have prepared ourselves well for it. In our group, we have five teams that will play and only two teams will qualify for the finals and I hope we will be one of the teams that reach the finals of the World Cup."

5. 01:13 Cutaway cameraman

6. 01:18 Wide of press conference with Mahdi Ali, coach of the United Arab Emirates team

7. 01:23 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mahdi Ali, United Arab Emirates coach

"Sport aims to unite people and to bring freedom at a time when each nation has the right to live in peace in his homeland. We are very happy to come here and to stand with our brothers the Palestinians as the first Arabic football team to visit in an official game."

SNTV

Al-Ram, West Bank. 7th September 2015

8. 01:50 Various of the United Arab Emirates squad training at Faisal Al Husseini Stadium in the West Bank town of Al Ram

SNTV

Ramallah, West Bank. 6th September 2015

9. 02:40 Establishing shot of Jibril Rajoub, the head of the Palestine Football Association, entering press conference

10. 02:49 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Jibril Rajoub, Palestine Football Association chief:

"It's the first time in Palestinian history the we hosted a football match in the World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Zone qualifiers on Palestinian land and under the Palestinian flag with the Palestinian national anthem. It's an historic moment."

SNTV

Al-Ram, West Bank. 7th September 2015

11. 03:22 Various of the the United Arab Emirates football team at Faisal Al Husseini Stadium in the West Bank town of Al Ram

STORYLINE:

Palestine are relishing the tag of being 'underdogs' against defending champions Australia, as they trained and talked in Dubai on Thursday on the eve of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Group B meeting.

The Palestinians head into their clash against Australia on Friday, knowing that Australia are regarded as the clear favourites.

However, Palestine had recorded their first-ever point at the AFC Asian Cup after a goalless draw against Syria last Sunday (6th January), while the 'Socceroos' had lost to Jordan 1-0 in their opening match.  

A win for Palestine at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai would virtually end the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign.

SHOTLIST:  Rashid Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 10th January 2019.

1. 00:00 Various of Palestine team-talk

2. 00:14 Generic of Palestine warming-up with the ball

3. 00:20 Palestine head coach Noureddine Ould Ali talking to his player

4. 00:27 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Noureddine Ould Ali, Palestine head coach:

(On Palestine's approach to the game against Australia):

"I don't think that we are merely looking to be defensive in our matches. In our camp, we have an ambition to do well. We all would like to seize this opportunity and play well at the Asian Cup. We have got a point in our first game and we want to build on that and finish in a position that will take us to the knockout stage."

5. 01:07 Various of Palestine players warming-up with the ball

6. 01:24 Tamer Sayam warming-up with the team

7. 01:36 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Tamer Sayam Palestine midfielder:

(On Australia being the superior team on paper):

"We know that Australia have a lot of good qualities and they have technical abilities to punish any team. For us, we can count on our team spirit and believe in ourselves. We can also count on the good support at the stadium from our fans. These are the two qualities that will be vital for us. We may be the underdogs but we are ready to get a result against Australia."

8. 02:30 Various of Palestine players warming-up

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 02:42.

Reaction from Al-Sharjah Stadium after ten-man Palestine salvaged a goalless draw against Syria in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup on Sunday.

Syria dominated proceedings but just couldn't put the ball into the back of the net.

Palestine were down to ten men in the 69th minute when Muhammed Saleh received a second yellow card.

Syria didn't capitalise on the advantage as it ended 0-0, an important point earned for the Palestinians.

Al-Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah, UAE - 6th January 2019.

1. 00:00 Palestine captain Abdalltif Al Bahdari enters press room

2. 00:09 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Noureddine Ould Ali, Palestine head coach:

"We have built something from this match. We wanted to do some changes during the match today, but things happened and forced us not to do so when we were given three yellow cards and a red card, so our plan changed, and we could not make any substitutions."

3. 00:55 SOUNDBITE (English): Bernd Stange, Syria head coach:

"You have always the same problem if you face teams who are defending with ten players, or at least nine, they are staying very very compact. How can you run with big speed in this group of players? The only result you will achieve are counter-attacks, and maybe an easy goal for the opponents. It's very very difficult to play this kind of teams and I think we tried everything to come over the wings, to open, to come behind the defenders."

4. 01:26 Palestine defender Muhammed Saleh in mixed zone

5. 01:30 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Muhammed Saleh, Palestine defender:

(About the red card he was shown)

"Our ambition was to win and have the three points so we could please our people. I am sorry for the sending off, it was the wrong decision, 100 per cent the decision was not right, and the referee took a fast decision, he could have made a better decision, and the video is there to see."

6. 02:00 Palestine defender Musab Battat talking with reporters in mixed zone

3. 02:03 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Musab Battat, Palestine Defender:

"Every match has its own situations, and for the next match we will see the instructions of the coaching staff and perform their plan."

7. 02:19 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Tamer Seyam, Palestine midfielder:

"I was expecting our team to win, because we played a good game, but the sending of affected us. We could have done better, but we are happy, we played well with ten men, and I think the result was good."

8. 02:49 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Tamer Seyam, Palestine midfielder:

"I think today's football have a lot of surprises, and we saw in the World Cup that teams left early. Palestine cane be a surprise in this Asian Cup. We have to finish the group stage and the next match will be against Australia and we will do all we can to qualify."

9. 03:09 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Abdalltif Al Bahdari, Palestine captain:

"All the players today were real men. We managed to close the spaces in the midfield as I told you yesterday. We managed to get one point, and today we played in the second-half for 30 minutes with ten men and we managed to cover the absence, and I hope we can correct our mistakes in the second match against Australia."

10. 03:44 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Abdalltif Al Bahdari, Palestine captain:

"For sure Australia are one of the best teams, and the defending champions, so I hope we can perform at our best."

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:56

Palestine prepared for their final Group D match at the Asian Cup against Iraq in the Australian capital, Canberra, on Monday (19th January).

Palestine on Monday trained and talked at Canberra Stadium on the eve of their final Asian Cup Group D match against Iraq.

The team will be looking to restore some pride after losing their first two matches against Japan and Jordan.

With no points, nine goals conceded and only one scored, Palestine will hope to end their campaign 'down under' on a positive note at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday (20 January).

Their opponents will themselves be looking for a win to guarantee progression to the quarter-finals for the sixth time in a row since 1996.

Coach Ahmad Alhasan said his team have learnt a lot from their first appearance in the Asian Cup finals, and hoped the experience gained in Australia will help to develop Palestinian football.

Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia. 19 January 2015.

1. 00:00 Various of team training

2. 00:23 Palestine coach Ahmad Alhasan (left) with his coaching staff

3. 00:29 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmad Alhasan, Palestine coach:

"Without introduction, we know how strong the Iraqi team is in Asia, and their team needs to win this game to qualify for the next round. We know the strengths and weaknesses of the Iraqi team, so we will try to produce a good performance to make us proud as a Palestinian team."

4. 00:53 Various of team jogging

5. 01:14 Ahmad Alhasan kicking a ball with his assistant

6. 01:22 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Ahmad Alhasan, Palestine coach:

"Without a doubt we learnt a lot from this championship. We have gained experience that we will pass on to Palestinian football and develop our game and benefit from the experience of the team in this championship."

7. 01:51 Various of team training

8. 02.03 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdullah Jaber, Palestine defender:

"As players we had hoped to represent Palestine better than we did, but this is our first appearance in the competition and we have a lot of young players and the future is bright for them. For sure we have gained a lot of experience. In the future we promise to represent the Palestinian people much better, and I hope this group of players will bring happiness to the people."

9. 02:48 Various of team training

10. 03:06 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdullah Jaber, Palestine defender:

"For sure this is a difficult competition for a country like Palestine, the teams we play against are the strongest in Asia. We are not scared of these teams, but the opposite - we are confident and enthusiastic. Sometimes over-confidence and over-enthusiasm affects our play."

11. 03:43 Goalkeepers practising

Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf spoke to reporters before he sang in front of the FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The singer is from Palestine and was wearing a Palestinian football shirt.

Jibril Rajoub of the Palestinian Football Federation reiterated to SNTV that Palestinian footballers should "have the right to move freely and enjoy the right for the statutes of FIFA".

A senior Palestinian soccer delegate was not allowed to travel to Brazil after his visa was denied by Israel.

Mohammad Ammassi needed to go from Gaza to the West Bank, where he planned to travel from Jordan to Brazil.

The Palestine Football Association (PFA) have been lobbying FIFA to impose sanctions on Israel.

Mr Rajoub also said that the "ball was now in the court of FIFA".

Sao Paulo, Brazil - June 10th, 2014.

1. 00:00 Jibril Rajoub of Palestinian Football Federation (left) and singer Mohammad Assaf (right)

2. 00:05 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Assaf, Arab Idol winner:

"This is an important event. I am here to represent Palestine and the Arab world here in the FIFA Congress. It means that Palestine has been taking its part here. I hope Palestine takes its part everywhere, especially in sports events. Palestinian players suffer a lot because of the occupation and the checkpoints. Our players couldn't attend many matches because of the checkpoints. This is an important day for me as a Palestinian signer and citizen, because I represent Palestine in the opening ceremony of the FIFA Congress as a Palestinian."

3. 01:03 SOUNDBITE (English) Jibril Rajoub, Palestinian Football Federation

"First of all Mohammad Assaf is a football player but also he has good talents as a singer. I do believe that having him here today sing as a footballer and as a national icon is a good achievement. But also it draws attention to the whole international community that the Palestinian footballers have the right to move freely and enjoy the right for the statutes of FIFA."

4. 01:41 SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad Assaf, Arab Idol winner:

"I am very excited to be here and to represent Palestinians in such a big event, the 64th ceremony of the FIFA Congress. This is a message to show that Palestine takes part is sports and music. This is a message from Palestine to say that despite the occupation and its checkpoints, Palestine and its sports and music stars will always be creative and take part. As you know, Palestine won the AFC Challenge Cup 2014 and secure qualification for the next year's AFC Asian Cup, which is a great achievement. It shows the hope we have for the future. I wish the team the best in the finals."

5. 03:17 FIFA delegate arrives at Congress.

A leading FIFA representative tried on Friday (2nd October) to defuse a row between Israel and Palestine.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

A Palestine proposal to throw Israel out of FIFA for obstructing the free movement of players and equipment was dropped at the FIFA Congress in May.

Instead, they settled for the establishment of a monitoring group led by South African businessman and human rights activist Tokyo Sexwale.

But a recent move to switch Palestine's forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia from home soil to neutral ground has caused anger in the region.

Palestine's FA has protested both to FIFA President Sepp Blatter and to Asian Football Association chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

Sheikh Salman was one of the three pivotal figures, along with Michel Platini and Kuwait's Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, who made the decision in favour of the Saudis.

Blatter has made it a priority to try and build lasting trust between Palestinian and Israeli officials.

To that end, Sexwale proposed a symbolic game between Israel and Palestine.

Tel Aviv, Israel. 2nd October, 2015.

1. 00:00 Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee Israel and Palestine, Tokyo Sexwale, walking in corridor.

2. 00:13 Sexwale walking into press room.

3. 00:21 Cameraman.

4. 00:24 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel & Palestine

(Is he still considering running for FIFA president?) "I have issued a statement when the rumours started following the meeting with the FIFA draw in St. Petersburg. But I will apply my mind. There is a still a deadline I think it ends on the 26th of this month? Yes. But we still have some days and I am sure that in the right time I will make a pronouncement."

5. 00:53 Cameraman.

6. 00:57 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel and Palestine:

(How does he think FIFA was damaged by the criminal investigation opened into Sepp Blatter?) "I think for the purpose of this meeting I would like refrain from talking about the problems of FIFA. They are there, you know them and there will be relevant people to deal with that. But one hopes that at the end of the day for the sake of football again as it is played by small children in the dusty bowls of Chad or outside of the earthquake of Nepal, as it is played by Messi and Ronaldo, I hope that in the interest of the beautiful game FIFA will find a resolution to it's problems. I have opinions, very strong ones, but I don't think this press conference is for that."

7. 01:44 Cameraman.

8. 01:49 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel and Palestine:

"This is our meeting number one. We are all engaged and I find that all parties are interested in finding solutions that will make the play an enjoyment of football to be fulfilled. The question we are still going to be discussing is the one of the territories, and we are mindful that that question if resolution, belongs to political authorities, both here in Israel and elsewhere because this question has been internationalised. But I want to make it very clear, it is not a FIFA issue it is not our problem sitting inside this meeting, but it is a problem that is confronting football, and we have to come to a resolution of that problem, advising the relevant political authorities both here in Israel and elsewhere, to assist us in resolution of that problem."

9. 02:55 Cameraman.

10. 02:57 SOUNDBITE (English): Tokyo Sexwale, Chairman of the FIFA Monitoring Committee, Israel and Palestine:

"I proposed the meeting between the national team of Israel and the national team of Palestine to take place in South Africa. It is my proposal - not at today's meeting, but I proposed it at our meeting in Zurich, what we call the kick off meeting that was chaired by Mr. Blatter. So I hope that when all is said and done, there will be that kind of game because we had used football quite a lot in other situations to bring friendship and peace among people."

11. 03:34 Sexwale, Ofer Eini, head of the Israeli Football Association and Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association.

SNTV ARCHIVE

Palestine wrapped up its Asian Cup qualification campaign this week with barely a whimper, the side crashing out with four defeats and two draws in their group matches.

But the mere fact that they even took to the pitch was accomplishment enough for a side, which played all its matches away from home because the team has no usable ground within the West Bank and Gaza.

Add to that a lack of funding and many feel that the teams accomplishments on the pitch are not as in important as what the Palestinian team represents off the field for a budding nation that has been wracked by conflict for over half a century.

SUGGESTED VOICEOVER:

Pablo Abdullah has never been to Palestine - his relatives left generations ago.

But the Chilean-born defender is doing something they could never have dreamed of, representing the Palestinian territories on the field of play.

He is just one of eleven South Americans who help make up the fledgling Palestinian soccer side....a unique mix of Latin and Arab that has been a difficult bunch to mould for head coach Nicola Hadwa Shahwan, himself a Chilean Palestinian.

But the players themselves say differences in everything from culture to language mean nothing when they step on the pitch for Palestine.

SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)

"When I put on a Palestinian jersey I know I am representing a people who have lived a hard life. They suffer a lot. For this reason, I give all myself when I play."

SUPER CAPTION: Pablo Abdullah, Palestinian Defender

One day the Palestinian national team may have a ground to call their own, but for now they are forced to play their home matches on the road.

This Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore, in which Palestine had to play both its home and away legs in the island-state, was just the latest example of how difficult it has been for coach Shahwan to put together a side for a place that has been engulfed in conflict for over half a century.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Our gents, they don't have time and places to play. And it's very difficult when you don't have ...sometimes you want to go from Gaza to the West Bank, you need more time than if you want to go from here to the United States. It's one-kilometer, one checkpoint. And sometimes the checkpoints, they have ten hours, or one day of two days."

SUPER CAPTION: Nicola Hadwa Shahwan, Palestine Head Coach

And there are always more reminders. Even as Palestine played its qualifers in southeast Asia, an Israeli air strike in Gaza clamed seven lives back home.

Soccer may prove a temporary escape, but to those players based inside the Palestinian territories it's a diversion inevitably shattered by more violence.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"It's very hard. For example, just the other day the Israeli army killed fifteen Palestinians. And every day I see my friends die. I can't be happy in a country where every day they kill some people, boys and girls. My experience in Palestine is very bad."

SUPER CAPTION: Saeb Jendaya, Palestinian Captain

Wracked by war and lacking players, funds and a home, Shahwan admits it has been difficult time at the helm of Palestine.

But as their unique mix of Latin and Arab players gradually overcome their language and culture barriers, the side says the diverse group can eventually serve as an example for Palestinians both inside and outside the Middle East.

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic)

"It's very good to have these players from outside the Palestinian territories, from Chile, Argentina, Syria, from every country to come play with us because it is a way to bring together and unify Palestinian people from around the world."

SUPER CAPTION: Saeb Jendaya, Palestinian Captain

And maybe one day even their ultimate goal....to return to a home of their own.

SHOTLIST: Singapore, Gaza Strip/All shot 20,21,22 October 2003

(Jalan Besar Stadium/Singapore/All shot 22 October 2003)

1.00:00 Pablo Abdullah walks out with Palestinian team for match with Singapore

2.00:09 Abdullah standing during Palestinian anthem

3.00:18 Palestinian head coach Nicola Hadwa Shahwan during anthem

4.00:24 Pablo Abdullah playing during match

(National Stadium/Singapore/Shot 21 October 2003)

5.00:31 SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Pablo Abdullah, Palestinian Defender

(Jalan Besar Stadium/Singapore/All shot 22 October 2003)

6.00:43 shot of scoreboard during Singapore v Palestine match

7.00:48 Palestine's Emad Abu Al-Khair with shot attempt during match

8.00:58 shot of Nicola Hadwa Shahwan during match

(National Stadium/Singapore/Shot 21 October 2003)

9.01:02 SOUNDBITE: (English)Nicola Hadwa Shahwan, Palestine Head Coach

(Gaza Strip/APTN/Shot 20 October 2003)

10.01:34 various, destruction after air strike in Gaza Strip

(National Stadium/Singapore/Shot 21 October 2003)

11.01:47 Palestinian player training

12.01:53 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saeb Jendaya, Palestinian Captain

13.02:12 pan up to head coach

14.02:18 wide pan if Palestinian training

15.02:26 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Saeb Jendaya, Palestinian Captain

16.02:42 Palestinians training

Palestine prepare on the eve of their 2019 Asian Cup Group D qualifier against Bhutan in Dura, Palestine on Monday (9th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine will go a long way to clinching their place in the 2019 Asian Cup if they beat Bhutan on Monday in Group D.

At the halfway point of qualifying, Palestine have won all three games - including an impressive 2-1 victory over Oman.

Both teams play on Monday.

If second-placed Oman beat the Maldives, which is likely after their 5-0 win over the same country last month, and Palestine also get three points, the Palestinians will have a nine-point lead over third-placed Maldives with three games to go.

The top two teams from each group go through to the 2019 Asian Cup finals in the United Arab Emirates.

Bhutan are bottom of the group with zero points - they conceded 14 goals to Oman.

The Palestinians have been slowly rising up the FIFA world rankings since 2015 and that victory over Oman in September saw them jump from 116 to 94, overtaking the Omanis in the process.

Palestine made their first appearance in the Asian Cup finals in 2015 - but finished bottom of their group with zero points.

Al Bireh International Stadium, Dura, Palestine. 8th October 2017.

1. 00:00 Various Palestine training.

2. 00:50 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdelnasir Barakat, Palestine coach:

"Playing in our own country and in front of our own fans is an important factor. We hope there will be a large number of fans as there were in Bhutan, the Bhutanese were loud. Therefore, we hope the Palestinian fans will come en masse. I mean the first time we qualified for the Asian Cup we qualified through the Challenge Cup, but this time, could be the first time through direct qualification. The goal before we started was to get the 10 points in group one, and thankfully we got these points, which are essential for us to improve our International and Olympic points."

3. 01:22 Various Palestine training.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 01:47.

Palestine fans get ready for their team's Asian Cup debut against Japan on Monday (12th January).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine have never played in the Asian Cup finals, they qualified for the tournament after success in the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives.

Palestine beat the Philippines in the AFC Challenge Cup final, but also registered wins over Afghanistan, Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan along the way to the final.

Hundreds of Palestinian fans are in Newcastle, Australia to support their team, who will make their Asian Cup debut against Japan at the Newcastle Stadium on Monday (12th January).

Palestine fans Abu Bakr and the Sadek family had a picnic by the beach in Newcastle before heading to the stadium to watch the big game.

Palestine's first match doesn't come much harder, Japan are the defending champions and four-time winners of the competition.

Also in Group D are Iraq and Jordan.

Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia - 12th January 2015.

1. 00:00 Opening shots of Palestinian family eating by the beach

2. 00:18 Family members chatting around table

3. 00:26 Close up of lady serving Arabic coffee

4. 00:33 Khodr Halayla with his wife

5. 00:40 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Khodr Halayla, Palestine fan:

"It was dream, and thank God the dream has come through. I cannot express my feelings, I really feel great and happy, thank God."

6. 00:59 Various of family members

7. 01:15 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ossama Abubaker, Palestine fan:

"The Palestine football team has come to Australia in 1898 and won against Australia 1-0, few know this information because we are talking about history of 117 years."

8. 01:41 Wide of eating table

9. 01:48 Close up of Aya Abubakr

10. 01:55 SOUNDBITE: (English) Aya Abu bakr, Palestine fan:

"I try to show I'm Palestinian and proud and I just want to give them my support and I hope that they win because it's the first time they're actually going to be in an international game. So I really want them to win and I'm going to probably go to all their games hopefully and give them my full support."

11. 02:15 Shots of family members

11. 02:30 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Wafa Sadek, Palestinian fan

"To have our team in Australia? I usually don't like soccer but I became one of the fans, I woke up my kids from the early morning to come here support our team."

11. 02:56 Closing shots of fans praying

Yemen head coach Ahmed Ali Qasim said on Monday his side "are in the ascendancy" ahead of their AFC World Cup Group D qualifier against Palestine in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Results, though, would seem to suggest otherwise, with Yemen bottom of Group D having taken only five points from a possible 21 - with one win, two draws and four defeats after seven qualification matches.

However, a victory over Palestine would see Yemen leapfrog both them and Singapore into third place.

Palestine, meanwhile, come into the match having thrashed Singapore 4-0 on 3rd June, but they did lose 1-0 to Yemen in the previous meeting between the teams back on 14th November 2019 - before the presence of the coronavirus pandemic.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 14th June 2021.

1. 00:00 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Ahmed Ali Qasim, Yemen head coach:

(About the match against Palestine)

"Our preparation for this match, God willing, is strong. We are in the ascendancy and we have a lot of ambition to win the game and take third place in the group, with all due respect to the Palestine team. They are a strong team, and I believe that both teams will be keen to secure a victory in tomorrow's (Tuesday's) game."

2. 00:37 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Abdelwaseeh Matri, Yemen player:

(About the importance of victory over Palestine)

"As the coach (Ahmed Ali Qasim) said, the team is looking to progress and move up the group and our goal is to beat Palestine."

3. 00:54 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Makram Debub, Palestine head coach:

(About the match against Yemen)

"We have tried, during our training sessions, to support the positive things that we showed in the match against Singapore (when Palestine won 4-0 on 3rd June) and address some of the negative elements. The match against Yemen will be difficult. We are required to be more focused and mentally switched on to achieve our goal of victory."

4. 01:23 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Makram Debub, Palestine head coach:

(About how some first-team players will be unavailable against Yemen)

"We have confidence in the group and we work on the collective performance. We wish them well until they return."

Saudi Arabia head coach, Herve Renard, said on Monday that his side's Group D 2022 World Cup Asian qualifier against Palestine, in Palestine, on Tuesday is "a historic game."

"It's a pleasure for us to be in Palestine for this game. Football needs to be like that," added Renard, who led Morocco to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In the past, national teams from the Arab world have refused to play in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as it involved requesting permits from the Israeli government, a country they do not officially recognise.

This move has been widely seen as a sign that Saudi Arabia have begun normalising relations with the Israeli state.  

But for Palestinian players this means they can finally play on home soil against teams from the Arab world.

"It's great for our fans to see their national team play at home. This is how it should be for us Palestinians," said Palestine defender Abdelatif Bahdari.

Al-Ram, West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territory. 14th October 2019.

1. 00:00 Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard arrives for presser

2. 00:07 Presser

3. 00:17 SOUNDBITE (English): Herve Renard, Saudi Arabia head coach:

"It's a pleasure for us to be in Palestine for this game. Football needs to be like that and it's of course a historic game so it will be a very tough game. First of all because Palestine beat Uzbekistan in this group (Group D) already. So the level of this team is very good. We know tomoroe it won't be easy. It will be a tough game but we'll be ready for this important game."

4. 01:03 Journalists

5. 01:08 Presser

6. 01:13 Renard leaves presser

7. 01:19 Palestine presser with head coach Noureddine Ould Ali and defender Abdelatif Bahdari

8. 01:24 SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Abdelatif Bahdari, Palestine defender:

"We as players are happy to play on home soil in front of our fans. It's great for our fans to see their national team play at home. This is how it should be for us Palestinians. This is a Saudi team that has played in the World Cup previously, and their presence here is testament to our right to play in our home ground."

9. 01:49 Presser

10. 01:54 Exterior shots of Millennium Palestine Ramallah, where the presser was held

Palestine trained and talked on Sunday (11th January) about their Asian Cup debut against Japan in Group D.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine will make their first-ever appearance at a major tournament on Monday (12th January) when they face Japan in Group D of the Asian Cup in Newcastle.

Ahmed Al Hassan's side qualified for the Asian Cup after winning the AFC Challenge Cup in the Maldives last year, but are in Australia as significant underdogs.

In preparation for the tournament, Palestine played seven friendlies since the Challenge Cup, winning four of them.

Al Hassan, who became coach of the national team in October, said he had two goals for the tournament.

Goalkeeper and captain Ramzi Saleh said reaching the tournament was significant for all Palestinians around the world.

Newcastle, Australia. 11th January, 2015.

1. 00:00 Palestine and Japan flags at the stadium.

2. 00:07 Players jogging at the stadium.

3. 00:21 Striker Ashraf Alfawaghra jogging.

4. 00:28 Palestine coach Ahmed Al Hassan looking on.

5. 00:35 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine coach:

"We hope to reach two goals in this tournament. Our first aim is to add something to our achievement in 2014 - qualifying against Maldives - by showing a good performance, to honour the Palestinian people who are suffering under occupation. And the second goal is qualifying to second stage."

6. 01:01 Various of training.

7. 01:19 Ramzi Saleh training with goalkeepers.

8. 01:24 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ramzi Saleh, Palestine goalkeeper:

"Japan are the champions and our group is very strong. It includes two Asian champions with good experience. We don't have that experience yet, but we have an advantage in that, we play with our hearts. I hope we will qualify to next stage."

9. 01:55 Ramzi training.

10. 02:03 Coach at training session.

11. 02:10 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Ahmed Al Hassan, Palestine coach:

"This is a first time for us, to play against Japan and it's our first participation in the Asian Cup. We know the Japan team very well. They are one of the strongest teams in Asia and have played at the World Cup and won the Asia Cup four times. We are prepared to meet this team, which we respect. We will give our best performance in the pitch."

12. 02:50 Al Hassan at training session.

Reaction after Palestine thrashed Bhutan 10-0 in their Group D 2019 AFC Cup qualifier at the Dora International Stadium in Hebron, Palestine, on Tuesday (10th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Palestine qualified for the AFC Asian Cup after demolishing Bhutan 10-0 at the Dora International Stadium in Hebron on Tuesday.

The host team were in total control of the match after scoring six goals in the first half.

Palestine and Oman had assured a top-two finish in Group D with two games to spare.

In the other game of Group D, Oman defeated Maldives 3-1.

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup starts on 5th of January.

Dora International Stadium, Hebron, Palestine - 10th October 2017

1. 00:00 Fireworks

2. 00:06 Various of fans celebrating the victory

3. 00:15 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdel Nasser Barakat, Palestine coach:

"The team played very well. They wanted to achieve a great result to bring happiness to Palestinians. The game was played at home in front of our fans. We also wanted to restore our confidence, and show a good performance to reflect our progress in the past two and a half years. At the end, we would like to thank all Palestinian people and media for the their support."

4. 00:38 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdelatif Bahdari, Palestine defender:

"The team played with responsibility today. We scored ten goals! I would like to thank the Palestinian fans for supporting us. Our victory is dedicated to the Palestinian people, and we hope we will achieve more success in the Asian Nations Cup at the UAE (United Arab Emirates)."

5. 00:53 Various of fans celebrating outside the stadium

6. 01:06 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mohammad Darwish, Palestine striker:

"We won 10-0. The team played very well. Our team is always progressing. We have been training very hard."

7. 01:18 SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Mohammad Abu Khamis, Palestine:

"We played the Bhutan with respect even, though their recent scores were very bad. We played well and we had a big victory. We qualified for the Asian Cup of Nations 2019. This was the dream for every Palestinian".

8. 01:36 Various of fans celebrating

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 01:55