Palestine goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh has called for an end to the conflict in Gaza after his side departed the Asian Cup with their heads held high following a gutsy round-of-16 loss to hosts Qatar.
Reigning champions Qatar won 2-1 but Palestine gave themselves an opportunity to dream by scoring the opening goal, their first in the Asian Cup's knockout stages.
Star man Oday Dabbagh's wonderful solo goal, when he slalomed between Qatar's defenders before coolly finishing across his body, lit up the Al Bayt Stadium in the 37th minute.
"We came here with one goal: to make our people happy. And we did it," goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh said.
"In this match we wanted to win, we wanted to make our people happy again, happy all the time.
"Qatar won in the end ... (but) we're proud of ourselves."
Qatar captain Hassan Al-Haydos equalised with the last kick of the first half, turning home an Akram Afif corner.
Star playmaker Afif scored the winner from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half.
Reaching a maiden knockout-stage appearance was extraordinary for Palestine amid the ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
Some players have lost loved ones, or have family trapped in Gaza, while the team have been forced to play World Cup qualifiers and friendlies overseas as well as completing their Asian Cup preparations away from home.
"We have two players that for maybe 10 days didn't know anything about their family and friends," Hamadeh said.
"We are family here, we support each other."
Conflict in the region escalated when Islamist militants linked to Hamas attacked southern Israel from Gaza on October 7, with more than 1200 Israelis killed and 240 taken hostage, according to Tel Aviv officials.
In response, Israel's bombardment, blockade and ground invasion of Gaza has killed more than 25,000 Palestinians, put half the territory's 2.3 million residents at risk of starvation and left more than 60 per cent without homes, according to local health officials and the UN.
"I want the war to end. It does bad things to our people," Hamadeh said.
"The message to the world is that we are here, we did very well, to see what we can do in our lives.
"We want to live safely. That is the message."
On the field, Palestine will next turn their focus to World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh, Lebanon and Australia.
"My players gave all that they have despite the difficult circumstances. I cannot ask them to do more than what they've done," Palestine coach Makram Daboub said through a translator.
"I'm very proud of my champions. They have big ambition and they're proud to represent the Palestinian people."
