Qatar will bounce back in next matches, says goalkeeper Abunada

Doha, Qatar: Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada remained composed and optimistic despite Qatar s dramatic 1 0 defeat to Palestine in their FIFA Arab Cup opene...

Doha, Qatar: Goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada remained composed and optimistic despite Qatar’s dramatic 1-0 defeat to Palestine in their FIFA Arab Cup opener on Monday, insisting the team will respond strongly in the coming matches.

The loss came in the most painful way possible - a stoppage-time own goal - after Qatar had controlled much of the Group A clash.

“We lost the match on very small details,” Abunada said after the defeat.

“We have two matches left, and we’ll take what happened today as a lesson. What matters is that we stay positive.”

Qatar had dominated possession at Al Bayt Stadium, pushing Palestine deep with waves of attacks. Ahmed Fathy fired an early warning, Mohammad Al Mannai tested Rami Hamada from distance, and Akram Afif constantly created pockets of space.