Lusail Stadium, Qatar – The eyes of the world were on the majestic Lusail Stadium once again as it hosted another historic final as hosts Qatar held on to their Asian Cup crown against first-time finalists Jordan.
The country's favorite football son and standout player of the tournament, Akram Afif, was the hero, scoring three penalties to give Qatar a 3-1 victory in the Arab final of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup on Saturday.
The hosts were a contender for the crown, but not outright favourites, when they opened their tournament campaign with a 3-0 win over Lebanon at the same venue last month.
But they leave Lusail as back-to-back champions (the first time that feat has been achieved since Japan's back-to-back victories in 2000 and 2004) and with their star Afif as the best player on the continent.
Losing finalist Jordan leaves heartbroken but with his head held high after an inspiring tournament run that took them to their first final.
✨ 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐌 𝐏 𝐈 𝐎 𝐍 𝐒 ✨
🇶🇦 Qatar are the kings of Asia. One more time.#Asian CupFinal | #AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/DI4uRHWi2z
– #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 10, 2024
Nerves wreak havoc in Jordan
An-Nashama began the match on edge and under the weight of the expectations of his adoring fans. They were unable to complete moves and pass the ball to their attacking force of Musa Tamari and Yazan Al Naimat.
The poor start finally cost them when Qatar were awarded a penalty midway through the first half and Afif received the ball from his captain, Hassan Al-Haydos. Number 11 made no mistake and pulled down his sock to pull out a card with the letter S written on it to celebrate.
His unique goal celebration sparked debates on social media, but Afif later confirmed that it was a nod to his wife, whose name begins with the letter and to whom he attributes his success.
“It was the first time I saw myself inside a stadium, so I decided to dedicate it to him,” he later told bewildered reporters.
Jordan re-emerged with a much improved team after the break. Buoyed by his enthusiastic supporters, the players began to show glimpses of his attacking prowess. The result was Al Naimat's equalizing goal and the game seemed headed for an exciting final half hour.
As soon as the ball returned to Jordan's field, Jordan defended awkwardly and conceded another penalty. Afif was forced to score the goal that put his Golden Boot award of the tournament beyond doubt.
The rapid change of fortune and outcome seemed too much for the Jordanian players and their fans. Their loud chants gave way to stunned silence as Qatar fans celebrated in disbelief.
Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta would later point to the second penalty as the moment when his team fell far behind the hosts.
“The moment of the penalties was crucial and they did not allow us to come back,” he said in his post-match press conference.
Ammouta, who has won over the Jordanians in a matter of weeks, said pressure from players' friends and family, as well as fans on social media, may have impacted their performance.
“I can't take away their phones and tablets and tell them they can't talk to people, but I was afraid these factors would have an impact on their mental state during the game.”
'Middle Eastern Christian'
Qatar's victory and Jordan's fate were sealed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Afif completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after his teammates passed him the ball once again.
The 27-year-old was the standout player and it was only a matter of time before he was linked to European leagues.
But the Al Sadd striker, who has been on loan at Spanish clubs, dodged questions and said any potential move would have to be initiated by a club and approved by his beloved wife.
“For now, what I do know is that we are followed [Asian] champions,” Afif said with a shrug.
With his performance as player of the match, Afif won new fans from across the Arab world.
“He [Afif] He is too good, my word, he is the Christian. [Ronaldo] Middle East,” Mohammed Rabeea, who came to watch the final from Kuwait, told Al Jazeera after the match.
Others, like eight-year-old Mohammed al-Kaabi, were delighted to see the player score a hat-trick.
“It's the happiest day of my life!” exclaimed the young fan outside the stadium.
Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar was present during the match and presented warm hugs and winner's medals to al-Annabi.
When it came time to present the trophy to the winning captain, Al-Haydos, there was a moment of delay. What trophy presentation in Lusail is complete without a black and gold bish? The emir helped his captain into the now world-famous cape before presenting her with the shiny trophy that never left Qatar.
Al-Haydos, Afif and Qatar's goalkeeping hero Meeshal Barsham collected the tournament's top prizes and ensured the trophy does not leave the country for at least four years.
The Lusail stadium was illuminated once again with a ring of fireworks and its adjacent boulevard hosted another parade of champions a year after Argentina's famous victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The party that started in Lusail continued to different parts of the country with cars honking and flags waving.
