How they got there: Qatar

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

How they got there: Qatar

Doha: Qatar will face Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final aiming to defend the title they won in spectacular fashion in the 2019 edition.

It has been another stellar campaign for the Maroons, who emerged champions in 2019 with a perfect record of seven wins, with Marquez Lopez's side unbeaten en route to qualifying for Saturday's final at the Lusail Stadium.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at how Qatar's journey unfolded in this edition.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_group_a_qatar_3-0_lebanon_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_group_a__tajikistan_0_-_1_qatar_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_group_a__qatar_1_-_0_china_pr_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_round_of_16__qatar_2_-_1_palestine_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_quarter-final__qatar_1_3_-_2_1_uzbekistan_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/video/asiancup2023_|_semi-final__islamic_republic_of_iran_2_-_3_qatar_1.html

How they got there: Jordan

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

How they got there: Jordan

Doha: Jordan will appear in their first AFC Asian Cup™ final when they take on defending champions Qatar in the 2023 decider on Saturday.

Having never advanced beyond the quarter-final stage previously, Jordan have been a revelation in their fifth appearance at the continental showpiece.
 
The-AFC.com retraces their journey to the final.

Semi-finals in Numbers

Thu, 08 Feb, 2024

Semi-finals in Numbers

Doha: The non-stop drama continued in the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with the hosts winning a thrilling contest against the Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday and Jordan stunning Korea Republic a day earlier.

Defending champions Qatar booked their place in the final thanks to Almoez Ali’s decisive strike in a 3-2 victory, while it was second-half goals from Yazan Al Naimat and Mousa Al Tamari that put paid to Korea’s bid to win a first continental title since 1960.
 
As Qatar and Jordan now look ahead to Saturday’s showpiece event at Lusail Stadium, the-AFC.com highlights the stats and facts that caught the eye in the last-four encounters.

Experience playing key role in Qatar’s push for title, says Afif

Thu, 08 Feb, 2024

Experience playing key role in Qatar’s push for title, says Afif

Doha: Qatar’s debut appearance in the FIFA World Cup on home soil just over 13 months ago may have ended in three defeats but the experience gained, believes Akram Afif, is powering their bid to defend the AFC Asian Cup™ title. 

Afif and his teammates moved within one match of lifting the coveted AFC Asian Cup trophy for a second time after a breathtaking 3-2 win over Islamic Republic of Iran in their semi-final on Wednesday, with Qatar showing confidence and composure despite the weight of expectations. 

Lopez: Speedsters steered Qatar into final

Thu, 08 Feb, 2024

Lopez: Speedsters steered Qatar into final

Doha: Marquez Lopez was delighted his decision to start without skipper Hassan Al Haydos paid off after Qatar secured a 3-2 win over Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday to seal a second successive appearance in the AFC Asian Cup™ final.

Lopez felt Homam Ahmed, Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali had the pace needed to break down Iran’s backline, a decision that delivered handsome dividends for the defending champions, who face Jordan in Saturday’s final.  

Jordan's Al Tamari on the verge of making dream come true

Wed, 07 Feb, 2024

Jordan's Al Tamari on the verge of making dream come true

Al Rayyan: It was only a month ago that Mousa Al Tamari dreamt of winning the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ title with Jordan. 

Now, with their place in the final secured following their fabulous 2-0 win over Korea Republic in a pulsating semi-final on Tuesday, the Player of the Match is one game away from making his dream a reality. 
 
The forward was unstoppable at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, creating the first goal for Yazan Al Naimat, before finding the back of the net himself with a surging run followed by a peach of a strike to seal a stunning win. 

Ammouta: Mindset of champions powered Jordan into final

Wed, 07 Feb, 2024

Ammouta: Mindset of champions powered Jordan into final

Al Rayyan: Head coach Hussein Ammouta was proud of the mindset of champions his Jordan side produced in their stunning 2-0 victory over Korea Republic in their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ semi-final on Tuesday.

Goals from Yazan Al Naimat and Mousa Al Tamari at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium secured Jordan’s historic place in the final, where they will face either defending champions Qatar or the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Ma Ning to referee AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

Ma Ning to referee AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Ma Ning from China PR will take charge of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final on Saturday, which will be staged at the iconic Lusail Stadium.

Ma will become the first match official from China PR to oversee an AFC Asian Cup™ Final when he blows the whistle at 6pm to kick off the showdown between Jordan and Qatar in the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.