Sara M. N. Al Shakhshir is a promising young midfielder for the Palestine women’s national football team, showing early maturity, composure, and tactical understanding as she builds her presence between the lines.
Early Career & Youth International Experience
Born on April 26, 2004, Sara first appeared on the international radar through Palestine’s U‑14 and U‑16 youth teams, featuring in AFC youth qualifying tournaments in 2016 and 2019. Across three U‑14 matches and three U‑16 qualifiers, she showed early capability in keeping midfield structure against regional opponents .
Senior National Team Breakthrough
Debut & Appearances
Sara debuted for the senior Palestine team during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualification in 2022, playing both fixtures and totaling 105 minutes of playing time at just 17 years old .
Role & Playing Minutes
During the qualifiers, she started 2 matches and averaged about 53 minutes per appearance, playing in tough conditions and holding her midfield role with poise and calm .
Playing Style & Strengths
-
Spatial awareness: Reads midfield dynamics well, positioning herself to intercept transition play and maintain balance.
-
Composure on the ball: Retains possession efficiently under pressure, helping reset team rhythm.
-
Tactical intelligence: Adapts positioning to support both defensive coverage and attacking build-up.
-
Youthful maturity: At a young age, she displayed professionalism in senior fixtures, reflecting coach confidence in her calm presence.
Career Overview & Milestones
-
Born in Palestine in 2004, progressing rapidly through youth ranks.
-
Represented her country in U‑14 and U‑16 AFC qualifiers between 2016 and 2019, totaling 6 youth caps .
-
Made senior national team debut in 2022 Asian Cup qualifiers, earning two caps and logging over 100 minutes on the field.
Future Ambitions & Outlook
Sara is well-positioned to grow into a regular midfield starter for Palestine across upcoming WAFF and AFC qualifying cycles. As she gains experience, expanding her passing range, decision-making under pressure, and leadership on the pitch will be key next steps. Her early trajectory places her among Palestinian women’s football’s most promising midfield prospects.
Conclusion
Sara Al Shakhshir stands out as a composed, tactically smart young midfielder carving her path in Palestine’s national setup. From youth international competitions to senior qualifiers by her late teens, she brings balance and stability to the midfield. With continued exposure and growth, Sara is poised to become a core figure in future Palestine lineups—quietly industrious and steadily influential.
