Qatar’s Akram Afif scored to terminate the 2023 Asian Cup almost a month early. The first set the hosts up against Lebanon, while the last made it 3-1 against Jordan in the 95th minute.
The majority of Lusail Stadium’s 86,000 spectators could start celebrating.
Qatar scored three penalties, all converted by Afif, the tournament’s highest scorer with eight. Even though the Jordanian players were getting snarky, Ma Ning, the Chinese referee, made no ridiculous calls.
The white men’s penalty, especially the second, was worse than how.
After being tackled in the box, Afif scored in the first half. Jordan labored to start, eventually bursting into life minutes before halftime.
After Jordan took the lead, Yazan al-Naimat’s equalizer midway through the second half was expected, but his control, turn, and shot were magnificent.
Jordan appeared to be the favorite, but another harsh tackle, video review, penalty, and goal followed. Jordan tried valiantly, but Afif clinched the win as the goalkeeper took him down again in the area.
Qatar became champions of the world’s largest continent for the second time after the 27-year-old celebrated with a card trick for his wife.
This win was less dominant than the 2019 one, with 19 goals and one conceded. Almoez Ali, on fire five years ago with nine goals, showed flashes of his earlier deadliness but was much less clinical, the captain, Hassan al-Haydos, can’t play 90 minutes, and the defense isn’t as well-drilled, but Qatar possessed guts, resilience, and Af
They beat Uzbekistan on penalties in the quarterfinals despite being behind. Iran retained their nerve and scored a winning goal against the run of play in the semi-finals, making it all the sweeter.
Qatar’s win will hurt Asian football’s image beyond the continent. After all, this team has won twice in five years but lost all three games at the 2022 World Cup on home soil.
The months-long training camp that deprived players of competitive action before their biggest game – and first in the World Cup – against Ecuador was hazardous.
The size, pressure, and urgent desire to do well might lead to a terrible start that would gradually worsen. Lifting the continental title at the Euros or Africa Cup of Nations would mend that reputation.
Qatar must qualify for the World Cup for the first time and do well in 2026 because the Asian Cup is less important.
Jordan—perhaps the most impressive team in the knockouts—has that goal too. This competition made Naimat and Mousa al-Taamari famous.
Despite being quiet in the final, the Montpellier winger is the only European player in both squads.
That game proved that well-coached, cohesive teams full of homegrown talent will outperform poorly managed teams with stars (Jürgen Klinsmann and South Korea), but everyone agrees that more players in the best European leagues are the next step.
After the game, Afif indicated he wanted to try again, and at 27, he may be ready. Jordan’s coach, Hussein Ammouta, who has succeeded in Asia and Africa, wants Taamari to be joined by others soon.
There are several reasons why Arab players from west Asian nations have few pioneers, but talent is not one of them.
The Asian Cup proved that, and Jordan and Qatar are focused on 2026.