Against all the odds, a team representing the violence-wracked Palestinian territories will make its debut on the world stage here this weekend.

From Sunday, a Palestine squad made up mostly of amateur players from the West Bank and Gaza will fight it oui with Qatar. Hong Kong and Malaysia in Group three of the Asian qualifying competition for next year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

A team representing British-controlled Palestine played in the qualifying competition for the 1934 and 1938 World Cups. But this will be first time that Palestine has taken part as an autonomous body.

The debut comes three years after the Palestine Football Federation was welcomed into the international football family by the game's world governing bodv. I ll A.

Since then, the PI I has made progress in developing a football infrastructure, notably through a youth development programme. A Palestine side has also enjoyed its first taste of success — a bronze medal at the 1999 pan-Arab games.

But the Federation's efforts to raise the level ot what is the most popular spori among Palestinians have been set back by the spiral of violence that has engulfed the territories since the end of Iasi year.

The national side’s chances of development were already hampered by the fact that the national league is split in two between (he West Bank and Gaza. Io add to this problem, the ongoing uprising against Israel has forced the league in Gaza to be suspended indefinitely.

Despite these handicaps, the Palestinians' Egyptian coach Mustafa Abdelghali insists (heir presence in Hong Kong is not purely symbolic.

"We have come here to play and be competitive,'' he said "We

are taking these games very’ seriously.

We have many problems in our country', especially in Gaza. But we are ready."

The Palestinians have wanned • up for their matches with two months training, mostly in Egypt. And a recent 1-1 draw with Thailand suggests they have a realistic chance of starting their campaign with a win.

I long Kong's attempts to adapt to a w*i< m of total football under recently-appointed Dutch roach Arie van der Znuwen have been a disaster so lai His squad were thrashed 6-0 by Chinese club side Dalian Shide in a warm-up game.

The Dutchman may have been guilty of tempting fate when he said: Some of our players could not cope with playing against a learn like Dalian but against Palestine it will be alright."

Qatar, the highest-ranked of the four sides and the strong favourites to advance to the second round, kick oil the group on Sunday against Malaysia, who go into the tournament in turmoil after the axing of their two first choice goalkeepers and one of (heir top strikers for slaying out late at a disco.

I he tiny Gulf state's Bosnian coach. Dzemal Hadziabdic. said his primary target was to take a maximum number oi points into the second round of games, which take place in Doha on March 20. 23 and 25.

"Our target is not to lose any of the games here but I will not be satisfied with three draws," he said.

"Everyone says we are the fa-vouriies but that is only on paper. I have learned a good lesson - all (he games are going to be lough, especially the first one/

Malay sia's I nglish coach Mian Harris admits he may have shot himself in the foot by axing three of his most established players But he has refused to back down horn his tough stance.