Syria and Palestine both booked their places in the quarter-finals of the Arab Cup after playing out a goalless draw in Sunday’s final round of Group A.
The result leaves the two sides level on five points each, but Palestine top the group thanks to having scored more goals over the course of the group stage. With the match ending 0-0 and the teams equal on overall goal difference, goals scored proved decisive.
Palestine opened their campaign with a 1–0 win over Qatar before drawing 2–2 with Tunisia in the previous round. Syria, meanwhile, defeated Tunisia 1–0 and were held to a 1–1 draw by Qatar.
Chances were limited, with both teams showing only sporadic attacking intent. In the 22nd minute, Palestine’s Hamed Hamdan struck a powerful effort from distance, but his shot flew over the bar.
Shortly before half-time, Mahmoud Al-Mawas cleverly allowed the ball to run through his legs on the edge of the area, finding Omar Khribin, whose attempt also cleared the crossbar.
In the 61st minute, Syria thought they had been awarded a penalty after Wajdi Nabhan’s challenge on Mohamed Al-Salkhadi inside the box. However, after a VAR review and consultation at the pitchside monitor, the referee overturned his initial decision and restarted play.
Minutes later, Al-Salkhadi fired a strong strike from inside the area under Syrian pressure, but again the effort rose over the bar.
Both sides continued to push for a breakthrough, but neither could find the net, leaving them to celebrate progression to the knockout stages together.
Tunisia finished third on four points following a 3–0 win over hosts Qatar, who ended bottom of the group.
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