Japan's senior players have admitted to feeling a sense of trepidation as they prepare to enter uncharted territory and face war-torn Palestine in their opening match of the Asian Cup next week.
Palestine has beaten seemingly insurmountable odds to earn the right to play Asia's top sides, friendly matches being canceled, the restricted movement of players and a bloody conflict with Israel just a few of the obstacles the players have had to overcome.
Palestine, despite having to field a weakened team due to players being blocked from moving outside the country, beat the Philippines 1-0 in the AFC Cup final to seal its first ever Asian Cup qualification.