The 2018 World Cup qualifier between Palestine and the United Arab Emirates, which took part on 8.9.2015, at Faisel Husseini Stadium in Al-Ram, was a special occasion by all counts.
At the same day, a rare dust storm had hit the area of Jordan, Israel and Palestine. It made the air extremely heavy and dirty and provided an epic and chaotic scenery at the same time.
It was the first match in many years that Palestine was hosting an official FIFA match on its own soil. Since the matches against Afghanistan and Thailand back in 2011, Palestine did not host any home games.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the best sides in Asian football at the moment, and probably the best national side to arrive in Palestine to play football.
The arrival of the current biggest Arab football star, Omar 'Amoory' Abdulrahman, made the Palestinian fans very excited. Palestine’s defenders weren't impressed though and covered him well all along the ninety minutes.
The match finished with a 0-0 tie. Palestine strangely remained undefeated in official matches at home grounds, but also winless, as it was their fourth draw.
Here are a few photos of various fans and photographers, which can tell you more about that day.
Route 60, between the wall and the stadium.
On the way to the stadum (Nadine Nashef©)
Hot corn, chestnuts, candies, hummus and falafel. The stadium surroundings.
Palestinian kids are watching the action outside Faisel Husseini Stadium..
An hour before the match, fans are getting ready.
A fan and a policeman.
The players are out for warm up and greetings.
Amoory is waving back at the local fans, during warm up.
Pride.
The best seats in the stadium.
The fans and their message.
The national anthems.
Abdallah Jaber helps Amoory (Rim Obeid©)
Good night Faisel Husseini (Ameen Abd©)
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Many thanks to Rim and Nadine for adding their photos.
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