Palestine were given a dramatic reprieve as they were re-admitted back into the race for the 2012 Olympic football qualifying tournament after FIFA ordered Thailand to forfeit their victory for fielding an ineligible player.
FIFA’s appeals panel awarded Palestine a 3-0 victory in the teams’ first-leg match in February, which Thailand had won 1-0.
Thailand midfielder Sucharit Chanthakul played while still suspended for a red card he received at the 2008 Asian under-19 championship.
In what was a brilliant performance from the young Palestenian team in the second leg, Palestine won the return match 1-0 in the West Bank taking the match into a tense penalty shootout.
However, the much more experienced Thailand team advanced in the resulting spot kicks.. ( Heartbreak for Palestine – this time on the football fieldhttp://t.co/E1asUjT).
It was a heartbreaking moment for the Palestenian’s as they were so close to causing a monumental upset. This was despite numerous Gaza based players unable to play in the West Ban due to travel restrictions placed by Israel.
But Palestine have been given a lifeline in their quest to come to London in 2012.
FIFA’s ruling now gives Palestine a 4-0 aggregate….Read more
