The Palestinian squad at the Asian Cup in Qatar hope to bring honour to their compatriots in besieged Gaza with their first victory at the tournament since the team’s debut in 2015, TRT World reports.

“For us, the message we are here to deliver through football is to qualify for the second round because Palestine and its people want to live. This is what we can offer,” midfielder Oday Kharoub told Reuters on Thursday.

The 26-member squad play Asian powerhouse Iran on Sunday followed by the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, hoping to advance to the knockout stage.

Kharoub said it has been difficult for players, especially those with families in besieged Gaza, to focus on training when their eyes are glued to the news between sessions, keenly following what is happening back home.

“Our hearts are with them, and we can only pray for them,” Kharoub said.