Palestinian fireworks leave Beijing in the dark

A friendly that should have been called “How to dismantle a defence in five easy steps” turned into a masterclass for the Palestinians and a textbook case of Chinese futility. From the first whistle the visitors set the tempo, and by the 23rd minute the hosts were already Googling “how to stop a goal”.

The opening goal came from centre‑forward Mohammed Saleh, who slipped between two bewildered Chinese centre‑backs and slotted home with the composure of a veteran. He was not done – a second‑half double‑tap left the Chinese keeper clutching at air, and a third, a cheeky back‑heel, sealed a personal hat‑trick and a rating of 9.0.

If Saleh was the headline act, Ahmad Al‑Masri was the supporting cast, weaving past the midfield with the elegance of a ballroom dancer and delivering a precise low‑drive that made the Chinese defence look like a revolving door. Al‑Masri finished with a brace and a rating of 8.5, his work rate the only thing that kept the match from turning into a one‑man show.

China’s midfield resembled a construction site: lots of digging, no building. The only bright spot was full‑back Li Wei, who tried to inject some width but was constantly chased by Palestinian wingers. His effort earned a modest 6.2 – a silver lining in an otherwise overcast performance.

The Chinese goalkeeper, Zhang Lei, deserved a standing ovation for his bravery, not his saves. One spectacular dive, a handful of scrabbles, and a final, hopeless watch as the ball curled into the net for the fifth time. Rating: 5.0.

For the Palestinians, the 5‑0 drubbing is more than a morale boost; it’s a statement of intent. With the win they leapfrog any rivals lurking just above them in the FIFA friendly rankings, and the confidence will spill over into the upcoming qualifiers. China, meanwhile, will be left to reassess tactics and personnel, their position on the table likely to slip as the gap widens between them and the continent’s emerging powers.

In short, the match was a reminder that a well‑orchestrated attack can turn a friendly into a showcase, while a disjointed defence turns a night out into a nightmare. The Palestinians walked off as the clear bosses; the Chinese will need more than a polite handshake to recover their dignity.

Player Ratings

• Mohammed Saleh (Palestine) – 9.0
• Ahmad Al‑Masri (Palestine) – 8.5
• Li Wei (China) – 6.2
• Zhang Lei (China) – 5.0