JAKARTA - Qatar won the 2023 Asian Cup after overthrowing Jordan 3-1 in the final which was held at the Lusail Stadium, Saturday, February 10, 2024.
Qatar's three goals were contributed by Akram Afif's hat trick. Interestingly, all the home goals came from penalty points.
Prior to the 2023 Asian Cup final, the Iraqi legend and former captain, Younis Mahmoud, introduced the Asian Cup trophy in front of the audience.
As soon as the referee blew the whistle signaling the match started, Qatar immediately took the initiative to attack.
Akram Afif opened the door when the game had just pointed to the fifth minute. Luckily, goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila came out of his nest to thwart the attempt.
The winger again endangered the Jordanian goal two minutes later. Unfortunately, Abulaila's close-range shot could still be secured.
Qatar continues to suppress the famous solid Jordanian defense. However, this time the defense of Hussein Ammouta's troops was often exposed by the penetration of opponents.
Next is captain Hasan Al Hydos' threatening turn. He provided a through ball for Almoez Ali. Again, these efforts still failed because Mahmoud Al Mardi could cut them.
At the start of the first half, Jordan practically only relied on a counter-attack that was their weapon.
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Their effective counter-attack almost opened the scoring. It started with Nizar Al Rashdan's action which provided Ali Olwan with a long pass.
Olwan secured the pass and saw Yazan Al-Naimat's position was profitable. He immediately passed to Al-Naimat who immediately shot from close range.
However, this effort can still be prevented by Meshaal Barsham goalkeepers.
Jordan began to get out of pressure and control the course of the match. They could even lead 51 possession compared to 49 percent in the first half.
However, Jordan was caught off guard in the 22nd minute. Qatar's attack resulted in a penalty following Abdallah's awkward foul on Afif.
Afif opened the tap for the host after successfully carrying out his duties as a penalty executor.
After being left behind, Jordan responded. They pressed the hosts to find an equalizer.
The first attempt came from Musa Al-Taamari. However, his shot in the penalty box could still be blocked by defender Mohammed Waad.
The Montpellier striker had another chance in injury time, but his shot was still soaring.
No more goals were created. The 1-0 score for Qatar's advantage lasted until halftime.
In the second half, Jordan immediately pressed. Just 11 minutes away, Olwan threatened with a shot across, but had not met the target.
Three minutes later, it was Ehsan Haddad's turn to score chances from close range, but Barsham was still able to block it.
Ammouta's team bombed Qatar's defense. The following two kans came from Al-Taamari and Al-Rawabeh.
However, Al-Taameri's chances of hitting the post after he took a backheel kick. While the second opportunity is still lodged in the right outside net.
Jordan's efforts to equalize finally paid off in the 61st minute. The uncontrolled Al-Naimat showed the ball's control was very good in the corner box when he received Haddad's cross from the right flank.
He then fired a hard volley with his left foot which made Barsham helpless.
After the 1-1 draw, Qatar increased the tempo of the game to fruition. Marquez Lopez's team could push back Jordan.
In the end, their attack again resulted in a penalty in the 73rd minute after Mahmoud Al Mardi's foul on Ismaeel Mohammad.
Referee Ma Ning gave the decision after conducting a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Afif, who became the executor for the second time without mistakes in carrying out his duties. He restores the advantage of The Maroons.
The change in score made Jordan move. Al-Naimat almost made it even if his header did not widen in the 77th minute.
Instead of equalizing, Jordan missed again in second half injury time.
Goalkeeper Abulaila is considered to have brought down Afif in the penalty box. Initially, Afif escaped from guard by almost half the field.
He then ran alone and just faced Abulaila who had to face him.
The referee then reviewed VAR because it thought Afif had already been offside when he got the bait. However, the judge even decided on a penalty.
The decision had received scorn from Jordanians. They gave applause while smiling at the audience implying that Qatar's hosts were privileged.
Afif, who was again the penalty taker, was able to outwit Abulaila for the third time. The Jordan goalkeeper couldn't read his low kick in the 90+5 minute.
The goal closed Qatar's victory over Jordan 3-1. Hattrick Akram Afif brought Qatar to win the 2023 Asian Cup.
The 2023 Asian Cup title means Qatar will be able to defend its trophy in the 2019 edition or two consecutive championships.
Qatar became the fifth team to win two consequences in the Asian Cup after South Korea, Iran, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
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