Palestine failed to qualify for the quarterfinals after losing 2-1 to Qatar Monday night.

“We came here with one goal: to make our people happy. And we did it,” Hamadeh said.

“In this match, we wanted to win, we wanted to make our people happy again, happy all the time. Qatar won in the end ... (but) we're proud of ourselves,” he added.

Reaching a maiden knockout stage appearance was extraordinary for Palestine amid the ongoing bombardment of Gaza.

Some players have lost loved ones, or have family trapped in Gaza, while the team has been forced to play World Cup qualifiers and friendlies overseas as well as completing their Asian Cup preparations away from home.

“We have two players that for maybe 10 days didn't know anything about their family and friends. We are family here, we support each other,” Hamadeh said.

Hamadeh called for an end to the war on Gaza as soon as possible.

“I want the war to end. It does bad things to our people,” Hamadeh said.

“The message to the world is that we are here, we did very well, to see what we can do in our lives. We want to live safely. That is the message," the goalie concluded.