There was good news for the Palestinian team at the Arab Games this week when a win over the United Arab Emirates earned all of the players involved military promotion as well as a $15,000 bonus. All 14 players were made NCOs in the fledgling Palestinian army and all were promised further reward if they can build on the surprise 1-0 victory.

Things were less rosy for the UAE coach, however, with Carlos Queiroz being sacked immediately after the game for what was described by the country's media as a "humiliation".

It wasn't the only game so far in the tournament to set pulses racing for Iraq's players attempted to attack the Palestinian referee after they were beaten 2-1 by Jordan on Wednesday. The riot police calmed things down though.