Final of the AFC Asian Cup 2023: Final of the AFC Asian Cup 2023:Qatar’s Lusail Stadium The world was watching the magnificent Lusail Stadium once more as it hosted a historic Asian Cup final between hosts Qatar and Jordan, who were playing for the first time. Qatar managed to retain their title.
After defeating Jordan, Qatar became the first nation in twenty years to win the Final of the AFC Asian Cup twice in a row.
On Saturday, in an all-Arab AFC Asian Cup 2023 final, Qatar defeated Saudi Arabia 3-1 thanks to three penalty kicks by the nation’s favorite football player and the tournament’s most outstanding player, Akram Afif. At the same site, the hosts defeated Lebanon 3-0 to start their tournament campaign, making them a strong challenger but not the clear favorites.
However, they leave Lusail as the continent’s greatest player in Afif, and they become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Japan’s victories in 2000 and 2004. Finalists that lost Jordan finished the competition with an inspiring run that saw them get to their first-ever final, their hearts broken but their heads held high.
Final of the AFC Asian Cup 2023: Jordan vs Qatar 1-3
Their bad start finally cost them when, halfway through the first half, Hassan Al-Haydos, the captain of Qatar, gave Afif the ball. Without hesitation, the eleventh player rolled down his sock to reveal a card bearing the letter S, signifying his triumph.
Social media users debated his unusual goal celebration, but Afif later revealed it was a tribute to his wife, whose name starts with the letter and whom he attributes to his success. He later explained to puzzled reporters, “I decided to dedicate it to her because it was her first time watching me inside a stadium.”
Halftime saw Jordan return with a much-improved team. Encouraged by their boisterous fans, the players started displaying glimmers of their offensive ability. As a result, Al Naimat scored the equalizing goal, and it looked like there would be a thrilling final thirty minutes to the match.
The ball quickly found its way back into Jordan’s half, but his clumsy defense allowed another penalty to be given. Afif fulfilled his duty by scoring the goal that assured him of winning the Golden Boot for the tournament. The Jordanian players and their supporters appeared unable to cope with the sudden turn of events and the score. The crowds in Qatar celebrated in shock as their loud chants suddenly stopped.
Bollywood Superstar Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan is welcomed by Qatar’s prime minister, He Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, as a Special Guest of Honor at the Final of The AFC Asian Cup in Doha which is Jordan vs. Qatar. The biggest star in the world for a cause.
‘Cristiano of the Middle East’
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Afif, who had once again been given the ball by his teammates, completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot, sealing Qatar’s victory and sending Jordan to ruin. Given his exceptional performance, it was just a matter of time until the 27-year-old was connected to European leagues.
The Al Sadd striker, who has spent time on loan at Spanish teams, sidestepped the questions, stating that any prospective transfer would need to be started by a club and approved by his adored wife. “As of right now, all I know is that we’re the reigning Asian champions,” Afif shrugged. Afif gained admirers from all across the Arab world with his player-of-the-match display.
After the match Jordan vs Qatar , Mohammed Rabeea, who traveled from Kuwait to see the final, told Al Jazeera, “He [Afif] is too good – my word, he’s the Cristiano [Ronaldo] of the Middle East.” The player’s hat trick thrilled some, like Mohammed al-Kaabi, who is eight years old. The youthful fan exclaimed outside the stadium, “This is the best day of my life!”
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