This year’s Asia Cup final, hosted in Qatar, featured Jordan and Qatar, not the star-studded match anticipated by many. Following their stellar performance in the 2022 World Cup, Japan did not even qualify for the semi-finals despite being the obvious favorites. Iran dashed Japan’s hopes of winning a fifth Asia Cup trophy with a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals on a brilliant goal by Mohammed Mohebi and a penalty.
South Korea also appeared poised to make it to the final, led by captain Son Heungmin. The three notable players from Korea are Son, Tottenham Hotspurs captain and forward; Kim Minjae, Bayern Munich center back; and Lee Kang-in, Paris Saint Germain forward. South Korea did qualify for the semi-finals, and devastated Australian supporters in the quarter-finals, defeating the Socceroos despite a 1-0 deficit in the ninetieth minute. Hwang Hee-chan, Wolverhampton Wanderers forward, scored a penalty, and the revered Korean captain then scored a beautiful freekick from the 18-yard line, winning the game 2-1.
Jordan guaranteed their semi-final spot by defeating Tajikistan 1-0, and Qatar clinched their spot with a penalty-shootout win over Uzbekistan.
In the semi-finals, South Korea suffered a 2-0 defeat after a subpar performance in their semi-final game against Jordan. Furthermore, Kim Minjae, a valuable asset to South Korea’s defense, was benched because of multiple yellow cards. Hussein Ammouta, Jordan’s manager, expressed that “Once we realized that [South Korea had] some weaknesses […], we…[found]…ways to score against them.” This was especially evident through Jordan’s relentless pressing of the South Korean players.
The last semi-final game, Iran versus Qatar, finished with a hard-earned win for the hosting country. Iran’s early goal, an exceptional bicycle kick scored by Sardar Azmoun, set the competitive tone of the game. The Iranians fought hard for their veteran players’ “last dance,” as expressed by their coach Amir Ghalenoei. However, Qatar guaranteed their spot in the final with a last-minute goal, finishing the game 3-2.
The Asia Cup final ended with a second Asia Cup title and a 3-1 win for Qatar. After a penalty scored by Akram Afif, Qatar finished the first half 1-0. Despite their opponent’s lead, Jordan unleashed the aggression and passion they had shown the South Koreans and leveled the score 1-1 with an astonishing goal by Yazan Al-Nimat. He received a cross with a brilliant first touch and blasted the ball into the back of the net. Qatar acquired a second penalty right after Jordan’s equalizer, and Afif, once again, delivered the ball into the left corner, regaining his country’s lead. At the ninetieth minute, Afif overtook Jordan’s defensive line, finding himself on one with the Jordanian keeper, Abu Laila. Afif and Laila collided in the box, resulting in a third penalty and hat trick for the Qatari player.
Qatar’s win is questioned by many, considering the three penalty kicks, but Jordan’s astounding performance was undeniable. By reaching their first-ever Asia Cup final, they made history and displayed their strengths on the pitch.
