The FIFA Arab Cup qualifiers produced two of the tournament’s most compelling stories, and both came to an end in the quarter-finals as Syria and Palestine bowed out after brave displays against heavyweight opposition.

Syria, who had battled their way from the qualifying rounds to the last eight, narrowly lost 1-0 to Morocco in Al Rayyan, while Palestine were edged 2-1 after extra time by Saudi Arabia, with Mohamed Kanno’s late header sending the Green Falcons into the semifinals.

Syria’s journey had captured imaginations, and they began their clash against Morocco determined to extend their remarkable run. For much of the first half, they went toe-to-toe with the Atlas Lions, keeping their shape and refusing to allow clear openings.

The best early chance fell to Morocco when Amin Zahzouh’s effort was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Elias Hadaya, who was excellent throughout, before the North Africans suffered a setback as the influential Tarik Tissoudali was forced off injured.

The pattern shifted after the break as Morocco grew increasingly dominant. A dangerous attacking sequence early in the second period almost brought the breakthrough, only for Hadaya to make another save, Zakaria Hannan to produce a desperate block, and the Syrian defence to complete a scrambled clearance under heavy pressure.

As the half wore on, the African side tightened their grip on the game, with Oussama Tannane, Karim El Berkaoui, and Marwane Saddane all going close as Syrian resistance was stretched to the limit.

Eventually, the pressure told. In the 79th minute, substitute Mounir Chouiar stepped inside and unleashed a powerful strike from distance that Hadaya could only parry. The rebound fell perfectly to fellow substitute Walid Azaro, who swept the ball home from close range to score the decisive goal.

Azaro’s impact from the bench earned him the Player of the Match award and sealed a 1-0 victory for Morocco, bringing Syria’s inspiring run from the qualifiers to a valiant but painful conclusion.

Palestine’s exit was even more dramatic. Facing Saudi Arabia in another quarterfinal, they found themselves under sustained pressure in the first half as Herve Renard’s side controlled possession and probed patiently.

The Palestinians, who had built their group-stage success on defensive solidity and two clean sheets, once again showed excellent organisation, repeatedly closing down spaces and limiting the Green Falcons to half-chances for much of the opening period.

Near the end of the first half, Saudi Arabia finally managed to unsettle the Palestinian back line. A deep cross dragged defenders out of position and left the goal exposed, but Hamed Hamdan’s last-ditch intervention denied Feras Al Brikan what looked a certain opener.

That warning sign foreshadowed what was to come after the interval, when the deadlock was finally broken in a moment of individual quality from Salem Al Dawsari.

Ten minutes into the second half, Al Dawsari produced a superb first touch that tempted Mohammed Saleh into a rash challenge inside the area, leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot. Al Brikan stepped up and calmly stroked home the penalty in the 58th, putting Saudi Arabia 1-0 ahead and seemingly in control.

Yet Palestine responded with admirable composure, refusing to allow the setback to derail them. Within minutes they were level.

Oday Dabbagh produced an exquisite first touch of his own to bring down Hassan Altambakti’s cross before finishing decisively, making it 1-1 in the 64th and reigniting Palestinian hopes. The match then swung back and forth, and late in normal time, Saudi Arabia thought they had another chance from the spot, only for a penalty decision to be overturned after VAR review, sending the tie into extra time with nothing to separate the sides.

As the additional thirty minutes wore on, both teams appeared to be heading inexorably towards a penalty shoot-out. Then, deep into extra time, Saudi Arabia’s big players combined again at a crucial moment.

Al Dawsari delivered a well-weighted cross, and Kanno rose to meet it, thumping a header into the net in the 115th minute to give his side a 2-1 lead.

The goal ultimately proved decisive, propelling Saudi Arabia into the semifinals and earning Kanno the Player of the Match award, while bringing Palestine’s own dream run from the qualifiers to a heart-breaking but hugely creditable end.

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