Palestinian player for Kalba, Ahmad Abu Naous, stated that fatigue and a decline in physical fitness were the main reasons for the Palestinian national team's loss to its Saudi counterpart with a score of 2-1 and elimination from the quarter-finals of the Arab Cup, currently being held in Qatar. He pointed out that playing all matches with the same starting lineup directly contributed to this.Abu Naous explained that the «Fedayeen» team delivered a remarkable performance during the four matches of the tournament, despite the difficult conditions that accompanied the team's assembly and preparations. He confirmed that the team presented a high technical level that greatly entertained the tournament's audience in general, and the Palestinian audience in particular, especially after topping its group, which included Qatar, Tunisia, and Syria.Abu Naous said in statements to «Al-Ittihad»: «The players of the Palestinian national team presented a distinguished technical level throughout the tournament's journey, and they managed to appear in a respectable manner, despite the short preparation period and difficult conditions».The player expressed his great happiness at playing in the UAE league and his ambition to present his best levels with Kalba in the upcoming matches.«Playing with the same starting lineup in all matches caused clear fatigue, which was followed by a fatal goal in the second half of extra time against the Saudi national team», he added.«I expected this distinguished level from the Palestinian national team, as I follow the players who are active in strong leagues, such as Belgium, Scotland, Norway, Egypt, Qatar, in addition to other countries. They all possess high technical capabilities, and if it were not for fatigue and a decline in physical fitness due to relying on the same lineup, the team could have gone far in the tournament», Abu Naous continued.Abu Naous praised the head coach of the Palestinian national team, Ihab Abu Jazir, confirming that he succeeded in the technical reading of the matches and was one of the most important elements in achieving positive results, expressing great optimism about the team's future in upcoming obligations.As for the reason for not joining the Palestinian national team, Abu Naous clarified that he had indeed received a call-up, but he was unable to respond to it because he is registered as a resident player with Kalba club, and according to the regulations, he is not allowed to participate in international matches in this case.
