Battat and company start their journey in Group C with a tough clash against the three-time champions, but despite the level of the opponents and the difficult situation back at home, the Palestine captain insisted he and his teammates are raring to go in Qatar 2023.
“I would like to thank Qatar for the hospitality. Everyone sees that the organisation in Qatar is at a top level,” said Battat who started five of Palestine’s six AFC Asian Cup matches across their two previous participations in 2015 and 2019.

“As a captain, saying the pledge was a proud moment for me as a captain of Palestine. I thank Qatar captain Hassan Al Haydos for the opportunity. We wish good luck to the hosts Qatar to retain their title.”

Despite no domestic football being played in recent weeks, Palestine managed a goalless draw against Lebanon and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Australia in their two matches of the Joint Qualifiers to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ back in November which served as preparation for the ongoing tournament.

“Our preparations went well, we are ready and fully aware of the size of the task at hand in this tournament. We are in good form at the moment and raring to go.

“There has been very little football activity in Palestine for three months since the start of the war and this impacted us negatively, but we played friendlies abroad and qualifiers matches. We want to put in good performances and get good results for our fans.”

Having reached the semi-finals in the UAE 2019, Iran go into this edition hoping to end a long wait for their fourth continental title, and for striker Karim Ansarifard, who represented Team Melli in each of the past three editions, the team is as ready as ever to get the right results.

“As you know, tomorrow’s match will be very important for us,” said the 33-year-old forward who could become only the second player ever to score in four separate AFC Asian Cup tournaments, should he find the back of the net in Qatar 2023.

“We will take things one match at a time. Every match will be like a final for us and we hope to get the best results.

“Each country’s players try their best to have a good result. In 2011 it was my first participation, and I was new in the team, now we have a very good team and I’m the most experienced member of the squad. It is a very good team under Mr. Amir Ghalenoei and we are trying our best to bring honour to our country and our flag. All that work we put in during our preparations is geared toward helping us get results.”