Bahrain have won the Gold Medal at the 2011 Pan Arab Games football tournament in Qatar.

Bahrain had qualified for the final by virtue of topping their group in the first stage, gaining back-to-back wins over host nation Qatar and Iraq, before eliminating Palestine in the semi-final ahead of yesterday's final match.

Palestinian fans of the women's team waved flags and cheered during a Palestine vs Japan football friendly in Doora yesterday! / via Reuters

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SOURCE: REPUBLICASpeaking at the same press meet, ANFA President Ganesh Thapa said that Nepal had a tough time securing the chance to host the final round of AFC Challenge Cup scheduled for April 2012. Along with Nepal, Maldives and Palestine, which boast of better infrastructure than Nepal, had also filed their bids to host the final round of tournament.

Thailand play Palestine in their World Cup Qualifier Second Leg knowing that their 1-0 lead is no way near enough. The shot shy Thais have been notorious for their inability to turn their silky build up play in to goals and new coach Winifred Schaeffer found out the hard way in the 1st leg.
As if that ain't enough the Thais may face a further handicap.

Away from Home: The Struggle for Football in Palestine is a post from: Just Football

June 12th 2014, Maracana Stadium. To much fanfare, World Cup 2014 kicks off. Opening game Brazil vs Palestine. Could happen? Perhaps not. But as Lewis Cheetham explains in his debut article for Just Football, duress is being met with progress:

Footballing associations across the world are inevitably faced with complications and disruptions which obstruct the development of their game each season.

After being in Malaysia for two weeks to cover the three EPL teams with Futbolita.TV, our lens have shifted to the World Cup qualifiers! Tomorrow, key games in the World Cup qualifiers will be played out including Palestine vs Thailand, Philippines vs Kuwait, Hong Kong vs Saudi Arabia, Yemen vs Iraq and Malaysia vs Singapore.

1st Leg
Singapore v Malaysia 5-3Turkmenistan v Indonesia 1-1Thailand v Palestine 1-0
Not good for the Thais is it? The slenderest of leads to take to the middle east, defeat against Palestine would cap a memorable period in Thai football, coincidentally under FA boss Worawi Makudi, when they have failed in the SEA Games, the Asian Cup, the AFF Cup and now this?

The first round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying has been completed in Asia this weekend. Eight nations from Nepal to Malaysia, from Myanmar to the Philippines, have secured their places in the next round of qualifying which will take place in late July.

The biggest story of Asian (AFC) World Cup qualifying came at the Faisal Al-Husseini International stadium in the Palestinian city of Al-Ram where Palestine faced off against Afghanistan.

Goalkeepers: Kawin Thamasatchanan (Muang Thong), Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool (Chonburi), Sivaluk Terdsungnern (Buriram PEA), Samuel Cunningham (BEC)

Defenders: Suree Sukha, Natthaphong Samana, Anucha Kitpongsri, Chonlatit Jantakam and Suttinun Phukhom (all Chonburi), Nataporn Phanrit and Panupong Wongsa (both Muang Thong), Teeratorn Boonmathan (Buriram PEA), Sujarit Jantakul (Sri Racha), Prat Samakrat (BEC)

Midfielders: Datsakorn Thonglao, Phichitphong Cheuichiu and Jakkraphan Pornsai (all Muang Thong), Suchao Nutnum, Rangsan Vivatchaichok and Jakkraphan Kaewprom (all Buriram PEA), Puritat Jarikanon, Ekaphan Inthasen and Adul Lasoh (Chonburi), Surat Sukha (Melbourne Victory), Chakrit Buathong (Insee Police), Wanchana Rattana (Army), Apipoo Sunthornpanavij (Osotspa)

Strikers: Sarayuth Chaikamdee (Bangkok Glass), Teerasil Dangda and Anon Sangsanoi (both Muang Thong), Kirati Kaewsombut (Buriram PEA), Sompong Sorleb (Buriram FC), Ronnachai Rangsiyo (BEC), Wasant Natasant (Chiang Rai), Tatree Seeha (Army)

COMMENT - a 35 man squad to play either Palestine or Afghanistan?

The Bangkok Post is saying that Thailand will host the winner of the preliminary qualifier between Afghanistan and Palestine in Buriram.
Really? Isn't there some FIFA rule that stipulates a stadium used for FIFA sanctioned events needs to be pretty bloody close to an international airport? And Thai FA head, Worawi Mukadi, as a member of various frequent flyer programmes and FIFA committees should know this.

We have two worthy causes for you today as part of our new weekly feature on charities related to football. Should you be doing something for charity that is related to the game, feel free to drop us a line via the contact page at the top of the site and we will be happy to include your cause as well.

The U.S. WNT welcomed unique group of fans to training last week in New Jersey as U.S. Soccer partnered with the State Department to give some young women from around the world an experience to remember. Young players and some coaches from Malaysia, Palestine and Bolivia among others were a part of a group called Sports United that got to watch U.

SOURCE: REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, May 24: An inspection team of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is arriving on Nepal on Tuesday to study infrastructure and feasibility for organizing AFC Challenge Cup 2012 finals in Kathmandu after Nepal expressed interest to host the tournaments.

SOURCE: REPUBLICA

KATHMANDU, May 24: An inspection team of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is arriving on Nepal on Tuesday to study infrastructure and feasibility for organizing AFC Challenge Cup 2012 finals in Kathmandu after Nepal expressed interest to host the tournaments.

The first year I started writing about Thai Premier League was back in 2008 and I recall mocking endlessly the lack of goals in that now unrecognisable league.
There were 16 teams in the league that year, the TPL was won by PEA (before they moved to Buriram) with Chonburi finishing second.
Just three teams scored more than 40 goals in that year (BEC Tero 50, Krung Thai Bank & Chula Sinthana 47) while eight teams averaged a goal or less per game.

BANGKOK (4 May 2011) – The FA of Thailand (FAT) will appeal against the decision to eliminate them from the second round of the 2012 Olympic Games qualifiers imposed by the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Disciplinary Committee.

Thailand were deemed by the AFC to have fielded a suspended player – Sucharit Chanthakul – when they beat Palestine 5-4 on penalties in the first qualifying round.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Palestinian international debut, Wenger, Ferguson in trouble with referees and QPR in financial trouble. You can listen to these and other stories on our weekly podcast and can find explanations of key vocabulary in bold below.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. | Subscribe: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Palestinian international debut, Wenger, Ferguson in trouble with referees and QPR in financial trouble. You can listen to these and other stories on our weekly podcast and can find explanations of key vocabulary in bold below.

This is what a boffo impending suspension looks like.

• Life with Union Berlin. (EFW)
• Unsurprisingly surprising stat. (The Spoiler)
• Croatians abroad. (The Best Eleven)
• Swedish footballer exits the closet. (Yahoo)
• Arsene tumbles. (La Liga Loca)
• The Gold Cup as requirement.

This is what a boffo impending suspension looks like.

• Life with Union Berlin. (EFW)
• Unsurprisingly surprising stat. (The Spoiler)
• Croatians abroad. (The Best Eleven)
• Swedish footballer exits the closet. (Yahoo)
• Arsene tumbles. (La Liga Loca)
• The Gold Cup as requirement.

Goalkeepers: Ukrit Wongmeema (Buriram FC), Kawin Thamsatchanan (Muang Thong)
Defenders: Komkrit Camsokchuerk (Roi Et), Theeratorn Boonmatan (Buriram-PEA), Chalermsuk Kaewsuktae (Chainat FC), Todsapol Lated (Thai Port FC)
Midfielders: Sujarit Jantakul (Sriracha FC), Seeket Madputeh (Pattaya United), Supakorn Prompinit (Sriracha FC), Pokklaw A-Nan (Police Uited) Phuritad Jarikanon (Chonburi FC), Niranrit Jarernsuk (Pattaya United), Attapong Nooprom (Sriracha FC), Weerawut Kayem (Muang Thong)
Strikers: Chayanan Pombuppha (Police Uited), Patchaya Narach (n/a), Krirkrit Thaweekarn (Sriracha FC), Thanat Jantaya (Air Force United)
They play Palestine next week after friendlies against Malaysia and Pakistan.

Thailand have named a 30 man training squad in preparation for the first round of the 2012 Olympic qualifiers. The group, including Thai Port defender Todsapol Lated, meet up today (Jan 17th) at Thammasat Rangsit Center.
The Thais will take on Palestine in a two-leg play-off, with the games to be played on February 23rd (home) and March 9th (away).

Thailand have named a 30 man training squad in preparation for the first round of the 2012 Olympic qualifiers. The group, including Thai Port defender Todsapol Lated, meet up today (Jan 17th) at Thammasat Rangsit Center.
The Thais will take on Palestine in a two-leg play-off, with the games to be played on February 23rd (home) and March 9th (away).