- Qatar won the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
- Qatar defeated Jordan 3-1.
- Afif finishes the tournament as the top scorer with 8 goals.
The star of the match was Akram Afif, who scored the tournament’s only hat-trick, leading Qatar to an impressive win. All three of Afif’s goals were penalties, with the final one in the 95th minute securing the victory for Qatar.
This win marked Qatar as the fifth team to win the tournament twice in a row, following South Korea (1956, 1960), Iran (1968, 1972), Saudi Arabia (1984, 1988), and Japan (2000, 2004).
The Asian Cup Stay’s At Doha🏆🇶🇦#AlAnnabi Secures the title for the second consecutive time⭐️⭐️💪#WinAsOne #AsianCupFinal #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/GjvUvFH8tI
— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) February 10, 2024
Jordan, playing their first Asian Cup final in front of a crowd of 86,492, experienced the most significant match in their history. The game was a display of skill and tenacity from both teams, resulting in a thrilling atmosphere.
Afif opened the scoring with a penalty in the 22nd minute. Jordan’s best opportunity came during the first half’s injury time when Mousa Al-Tamari’s shot was blocked by Mohammed Waad.
Jordan managed to level the score in the second half when Yazan Al Naimat scored in the 67th minute, heightening the contest for the cup. The match reached a climactic end when Qatar was awarded another penalty in the 72nd minute, which Afif successfully converted.
Afif rounded off his hat trick with a third penalty in the 95th minute, making him the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals.
#AsianCup2023 TOP GOAL SCORER#HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/W3DOCVLFP7
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) February 10, 2024
It’s worth noting that Qatar had replaced their former manager, Carlos Queiroz of Real Madrid, with Tintin Marquez, a Spaniard, just a month before the Asian Cup. This managerial change, made just 30 days before the tournament, was seen as a significant risk, but it ultimately proved successful.
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