On February 10, Qatar successfully retained their Asian Cup title, overcoming Jordan with a 3-1 victory at Lusail Stadium. The match saw Akram Afif, the Qatari forward, convert three penalties, leading the hosts to their second continental title. This was a historic occasion for Jordan, as they were competing in their first Asian Cup final and vying for their maiden major trophy.
Despite their efforts, it was Qatar who emerged victorious in front of a crowd of 86,492 spectators, including notable figures such as Qatar’s ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Afif opened the score in the 22nd minute with a penalty kick. Jordan responded with a spirited attack but was unable to find the back of the net until the second half. In the 67th minute, Jordan’s Yazan Al-Naimat managed to score the equaliser.
However, Jordan’s joy was short-lived. Within minutes, Afif scored his second penalty of the match and later completed his hat-trick with a third goal from the penalty spot, sealing the victory for Qatar.
Following the final whistle, Afif was celebrated by his teammates and also received the award for player of the match and most valuable player of the tournament. “The successful penalties are a testament to the confidence my teammates have in me. It’s not about the technique or choosing the angle, it’s about the support of my team,” Afif commented.
Jordan’s coach, Hussein Ammouta, reflected on the match, stating, “We weren’t focused in the first half and we made mistakes. There were opportunities to score but we didn’t capitalize on them. The timing of the two penalties in the second half was harsh.”
Despite the loss, Ammouta remained optimistic about the future, congratulating his players for their performance. “They’ve gained confidence and opened horizons for the future. Perhaps we can triumph in future tournaments,” he said.
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