Akram Afif celebrates after scoring the second goal for Qatar (Getty)
Qatar is one step away from retaining the Asian Football Cup title by qualifying to face Jordan in the final of the tournament held on its soil after a 3-2 victory over Iran in the semi-final at Al Thumama Stadium on Wednesday.
The Qatari team, which won the title of the last edition in 2019 in the Emirates, owes a great deal of credit for its victory to its striker Akram Afif, who scored one goal and assisted another, as well as Almoez Ali, who scored the winning goal near the end.
The Qatari team will meet in the final scheduled at Lusail Stadium next Saturday with its Jordanian counterpart, who qualified for the Asian final for the first time in its history after a 2-0 victory over South Korea yesterday, Tuesday.
Iran leads (1-0) over Qatar by Sardar Azmoun 🇮🇷⚽️#AsiaCup | #Asian_Cup 2023 #Iran_Qatar #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/rJblrasTch
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
The first half was exciting and very balanced between the two teams. Iran succeeded in taking an early lead, but the home team imposed its presence strongly and responded with two goals. It also succeeded in achieving a balance between the defensive and offensive sides to end the first half with a 2-1 lead.
Jassim Jaber ignites the match and adjusts the result for Al-Anabi ⚽️🇶🇦 #Asia_Cup | #AsianCup2023 #Iran_Qatar #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/Q9OT24LnlP
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
⚽️🇶🇦 Akram Afif ignites the stands and guides Annabi to the lead goal #Asia_Cup | #Asian_Cup 2023 #Iran_Qatar #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/mFJLGBg21D
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
Iran equalized early in the second half with a penalty kick, but the Qatari team maintained its balance. Over time, Iran intensified the offensive pressure to greatly threaten Qatar's goal, but the home team's defense intervened at the right moment on several occasions.
The Iranian team equalizes from the penalty spot 🥅🇮🇷#AsianCup | #AsianCup2023 #Iran_Qatar #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/XyDYUnPP3q
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
Despite Iran's offensive superiority during the final minutes, Almoez Ali succeeded in scoring Qatar's winning goal, leading his country to the second final in a row.
Al-Moez Ali adds the third to Al-Anabi ⚽️🇶🇦#Asia_Cup | #AsianCup2023 #Iran_Qatar #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/HN5bIAs0L3
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
Shoja Khalilzadeh gets a red card after a harsh intervention on Akram Afif 🟥#AsiaCup | #Asian_Cup 2023 #Iran_Qatar #AsianCup2023 pic.twitter.com/5ueKuEsEiG
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 7, 2024
Source: Reuters