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Qatar's Akram Afif made the decision in the final
Photo:
Hussein Sayed/dpa
Host Qatar defended its title at the Asian Cup. The Emirates team won the final against outsiders Jordan 3-1 (1-0) and thus triumphed at the continental championship like four years ago. The outstanding attacker Akram Afif (22nd minute, 73rd and 90th +5) scored all three goals for the 2022 World Cup host country from penalties at the Lusail Stadium.
Jordan, who surprisingly defeated South Korea under German coach Jürgen Klinsmann in the semi-finals, held up well overall, but only managed to equalize through Yazan Al-Naimat (67').
In the fast-paced duel, Qatar initially had more of the game. After Qatar's star Afif was knocked off his feet by Abdallah Nasib in the penalty area, the fouled man stepped up himself - and converted down the left.
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However, Jordan didn't give up and got better into the game as the game went on. Al-Naimat's equalizer in the left corner was not undeserved, but it woke up Spanish coach Tintin Marquez's Qatari team. Just a few minutes later, Chinese referee Ning Ma pointed to the spot again; Jordan's attacker Mahmoud Al-Mardi had fouled Qatar's Ismaeel Mohammed. Afif scored again.
The decision was made at the end of regular time: Jordan's keeper Yazeed Abulaila brought down Qatar's double shooter Afif, and again - this time after studying the video images - a penalty was awarded - this time too Afif was the winner.
For Qatar, the second title is a kind of compensation: the Arab country was eliminated in the preliminary round of the home World Cup with no chance. Jordan had already caused a sensation by reaching the final; the kingdom has never made it to a World Cup; its greatest successes so far have been its quarter-final appearances at the Asian Cup in 2004 and 2011.
ngo/dpa/sid