Palestine beat Afghanistan in AFC Challenge semis

Palestine took a step towards qualification for next year's Asian Cup in Australia with a 2-0 win over Afghanistan in the semi-final of the AFC Challenge Cup in Male on Tuesday.

Ashraf Al Fawaghra scored both goals, either side of half-time, as Palestine continued their unbeaten run in the eight-nation tournament.

Palestine will play the winners of Tuesday night's second semi-final between the Philippines and hosts Maldives in the final on Friday.

The champions will secure a place in the Asian Cup.

Afghanistan failed to impress despite being boosted by the return of three key players who were injured when their team bus was involved in an accident on Saturday.

Afghanistan, ranked 128th in the world against Palestine's 165, won their first football trophy last September by clinching the South Asian Football Federation title in Nepal.

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