Feature: Palestinians say they already won in Asia Cup, despite results

From the studios of 24FM radio in the West Bank city of Ramallah, cheers took off for the Palestinian national football team on the eve of its game against Japan.

For two hours, 17 radio stations in the West Bank simultaneously broadcasted a special program to support the Palestinian team as it plays in the finals of the Asia Cup taking place in Australia.

This participation was described as historic by many local sports fans. This is the first time Palestine qualifies for the finals alongside 15 other teams from the world's largest continent.

Sports analysts say there's a growing support for the Palestinian sports driven by the keenness of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) on developing this field.

As two main 24 FM radio hosts took their spots in the studio, the show's producers prepared a full schedule of reports, interviews and cheering rallies for the occasion. Starting with the national anthem, the show played a new song specially produces for the event, "We hoist our heads high as Palestinians. Our determination is legendary," the song lyrics says.

Palestine will play its first game against Japan on Monday and will compete against three powerful teams throughout the next two weeks in the first round. Even before they set foot on the football field, Palestinians declared the team as victorious for reaching this far in the game of football.

"They're meeting Japan, Jordan and Iraq, this is a difficult group of powerful teams. We hope that we achieve good results, but in the end our participation in the finals is the most important part," said Abdul Naser Barakat, the coach of the Palestinian Olympic football team.

"The participation carries important political messages, most importantly that the Palestinians are able to defeat the challenges living under occupation and play against major teams," he added.

For many Palestinians, the participation means more than just a game. As a nation that feels underrepresented in major international events, people feel proud to be on the spotlight.

"Watching our players singing our national anthem and seeing our flag hoisted in this prestigious event are the win to be happy and proud," the 24FM radio host Ahmed Nasr Al-Ali told Xinhua.

Palestinians who don't even follow sports are interested in the game, "My friend, a Palestinian living in Egypt, phoned me asking about the timing and satellite channels broadcasting the game," Al-Ali said, adding that "he never watched football but he will do now".

Some took to social media to show their excitement and support for the 23-player team and devoted special "hashtag". Some of the comments on social media encouraged the team's diversity of having Palestinians from the diaspora, the West Bank, Gaza and in Israel. Football fan Ali Sa'ed told Xinhua he will take a half a day off so as not to miss the kickoffs of his national team.

Ihab Al-Jariri, manager of 24FM radio said the local media aims to boost the support for the team and give the players a push.

"Palestinians are not used to our participation in such important events and we want to remind everyone of this and tell them that their follow-up and cheer will definitely support our team," Al-Jariri said, adding that the major media support aims to create a "positive shock".

The time difference between Australia and Palestine means that the game will be broadcasted in the mid morning on Monday.

The 9 a.m. game makes it difficult for restaurants and bars to screen the game as most of the people will be at work. However, the game will be available on some of the local stations.

"At this stage, participation in itself is a win but in the future we want to actively participate and have achievements," Al-Jariri said. Endi