Qatar has once again been crowned champion of Asia. The title holder won the final at Lusail Iconic Stadium on Saturday with 1-3 against Jordan. The big man on Qatar's side was Akram Afif, who took advantage of three penalties. Jordan showed its strength, especially in the second half, and leveled the score, after which the prospects diminished considerably after an unfortunate penalty kick was given away. It is the second time that Qatar has won the Asian Cup.

Qatar was the favorite beforehand and was therefore the dominant party in the first half. Afif was given a lot of space in the box and, after some hesitation, he decided to try with a placed ball in the short corner. To no avail, as Yazeed Abulaila made a simple save. Jordan also showed their support and tried through Yazan Al-Naimat, whose shot was blocked away by Meshaal Barsham.

However, Qatar remained the dominant party and attacked through Afif, who started a dribble and was tapped in the leg by Abdallah Nasib. Referee Ma Ning, the first Chinese to referee an Asian Cup final, did not hesitate and pointed decisively to the spot. Afif himself stood behind the ball and shot neatly into the bottom left corner: 1-0.

Afif also thought he would get an assist moments later, when Lucas Mendes headed from his corner. However, Abulaila made a good save. Mousa Al-Tamari, Montellier striker, had the chance to equalize before half-time. He received the ball from the left and then didn't hit the ball properly, so his shot did not end up between the frames.

After the interruption, Jordan came out of its shell a little more and it gave the fans present from that country some confidence. Ali Olwan received the ball and decided to try with a spectacular bicycle kick, which ended up a few meters wide of Qatar's goal. Jordan continued to slowly but surely move forward and gain confidence.

Ehsan Haddad stepped up, got the ball in the loop and had the biggest chance for the visitors, who on paper were playing at home. He shot into the short corner at Barsham, who had to start again from the subsequent corner kick. Yazan Al-Arab tried with a spectacular volley, which could only just be tapped over. Jordan kept pushing, Qatar forgot to play football.

Al-Tamari met Barsham in the short corner, who could breathe a sigh of relief when Olwan pushed the rebound wide with his heel. The deserved equalizer would still come. Al-Naimat took a wonderful shot with the right and shot his fourth goal of the tournament against the ropes with the left: 1-1. However, Qatar would soon take the lead again. Mahmoud Al-Mardi brought down Ismaeel Mohammed and the penalty ultimately awarded was used by Afif: 1-2.

Jordan tried in the final phase, but an equalizer was no longer possible. Afif was sent deep and seemed on his way to his hat-trick and the 1-3, but he was set down by Abulaila. Ning was called to the screen and concluded it was a penalty as Abulaila did not touch the ball but Afif did. Afif stood behind the ball and shot for the third time from eleven meters: 1-3.

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