Qatar beat Jordan to retain Asian Cup

Qatar has successfully defended their Asian Cup title with a 3-1 victory over Jordan on Saturday. Akram Afif emerged as the hero for the home team, scoring a hat-trick of penalties.

The match, witnessed by 86,492 spectators at Lusail Stadium, marked a memorable end to a month-long tournament featuring 24 teams and several thrilling matches.

This triumph also helps Qatar move past the disappointment of their performance in the World Cup, where they failed to win a single game.

Despite being ranked 29 places below their opponents, Jordan put up a commendable fight, equalizing once before ultimately succumbing to Afif’s decisive penalties.

Qatar, aiming to become the fifth team to win consecutive Asian titles, made a significant coaching change just a month before the tournament, appointing Tintin Marquez. His tactical decisions paid off, as Qatar dominated the final, with Afif leading the charge.

Afif’s remarkable hat-trick, celebrated with a unique card trick, secured Qatar’s victory and cemented his status as one of the tournament’s standout performers.

Despite Jordan’s efforts, Qatar emerged as deserving champions, erasing the bitter memories of their World Cup campaign.