DOHA — In a thrilling climax at the packed Lusail Stadium, Qatar secured their second consecutive AFC Asian Cup title on Saturday, triumphing over Jordan with a resounding 3-1 victory, fueled by Akram Afif's remarkable hat-trick of penalties.
Despite Jordan's spirited effort, which saw Yazan Al Naimat equalize the score, marking their debut appearance in the final, Afif's cool and composed spot-kick conversions, coupled with Qatar's commanding display, ensured the defending champions retained their crown, first claimed in 2019 with notable panache.
Afif's historic feat of scoring three penalties in a single match marked a milestone in the tournament's history, propelling him to the status of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Yili Top Scorer, with an impressive tally of eight goals.
The final commenced with Iraqi football icon Younis Mahmoud presenting the coveted AFC Asian Cup trophy, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown before a capacity crowd at the Lusail Stadium. Qatar asserted their dominance from the outset, with Afif narrowly missing an early opportunity to open the scoring, thwarted only by Jordan's resilient goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.
Qatar's relentless attacking prowess kept Jordan's defense on their toes, with Hasan Al Hydos and Almoez Ali posing constant threats. Despite sporadic counter-attacks from Jordan, including Al Naimat's momentary equalizer, Qatar's unyielding pressure resulted in three penalty awards, all expertly dispatched by Afif, sealing their historic triumph.
The intensity of the match escalated in the second half, as Jordan sought to level the score, but Qatar's tactical acumen and pivotal interventions, aided by VAR, ultimately secured their championship victory.
