Political goal achieved, Palestine focus on sport
 

https://s1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/v...OCCER-ASIA.JPGBy Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Palestine's political goal was achieved during their Asian Cup opener against Japan and they will **w focus on the sport as they seek to upset Jordan in their second group match, coach Ahmed Al Hassan said on Thursday. With the sudden loss of their previous coach, friendly matches cancelled and players blocked from travel, Palestine have battled against the odds just to make the continental showpiece in Australia and their pride was undimmed by their 4-0 humbling by Japan in Newcastle. "We came to Australia to achieve two goals, unlike the other 15 teams who have one goal," Al Hassan, who stepped up from assistant coach when his former boss Jamal Mahmoud quit suddenly in September, told reporters in Melbourne. "The first point was achieved when we saw the name Palestine and the Palestinian flag was raised at the first match.




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