Palestine coach Ihab Abu Jazar praised his team’s resilience and refusal to give up after they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Tunisia at Lusail Stadium in their second Group A match at the FIFA Arab Cup in Doha.
Abu Jazar said the comeback – secured through sheer determination and character – reflected the spirit of a team playing for an entire nation. He stressed that qualification for the quarter-finals is not yet guaranteed, but the last-gasp equaliser brought immense joy to Palestinians everywhere.
“The players’ determination and refusal to give up was the main reason for the draw,” Abu Jazar said at the post-match press conference. “This joy is the joy of a people. The national team has become the ambassador of Palestine, the only smile for our people who suffer daily.”
Despite conceding twice due to defensive mistakes, the coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance over the full 90 minutes. He highlighted the strong display as one shared between “two countries that love each other.”
Abu Jazar added that messages pouring in from across Palestine – especially after the earlier win over Qatar – place a heavy responsibility on the squad to continue bringing moments of happiness to their people. “Every match we play is a message through which we convey the Palestinian cause to the world,” he said, noting that the final round remains open to all scenarios.
He also credited the presence of several professionals from the Egyptian league, along with those playing in Qatar, for strengthening the team’s competitiveness and composure against Tunisia.
Zaid al-Qanbar, who was named player of the match after scoring the equaliser, said he was delighted to deliver at a decisive moment. He revealed that criticism after the Qatar match motivated him to raise his level and prove he deserved his place in the squad. “The joy in the stadium and among Palestinians everywhere means a lot,” Al-Qanbar said. “I will keep giving everything to help the team in the remaining matches.”
Meanwhile, Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi said the 2–2 draw 'felt like a defeat,' particularly as both Palestinian goals came from set pieces and defensive lapses. Trabelsi explained that leading the national team at the Arab Cup was a responsibility he was obliged to fulfil, especially after Tunisia abandoned its initial plan to field an under-23 side. He rejected suggestions that taking charge for the tournament involved any risk, insisting he never viewed participation through the lens of possible repercussions.
“We took a two-goal lead and performed much better than in the first match, so this draw feels like a loss,” he said. “I take full responsibility. The mistakes were naïve and cost us dearly.”
Facing Qatar next, Trabelsi said Tunisia still retain 'a glimmer of hope' of reaching the second round, though he acknowledged the challenge ahead. Fatigue, he noted, affected many of his players in the second half. “We will fight for our chances in the last match and try to deliver a performance worthy of the national team,” he affirmed.
