Qatar Becomes Asian Cup Champion Again with Victory Over Jordan

On Saturday, February 10, the Qatari national football team defeated the Jordanian national football team at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar with three penalty goals by Akram Afif, reclaiming the Asian Cup championship. Jordan played in hopes of securing its first title in the Asian Cup final, but it was Qatar that triumphed in front of approximately 90,000 spectators, including Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the ruler of Qatar, and Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president. Afif earned a penalty in the 20th minute while trying to get past Abdullah Naseef, scoring the first goal for Qatar. This was the first goal that Jordan conceded after winning against Iraq in the Round of 16. Jordan changed the game in the second half, with Yazan Al-Naimat managing to equalize in the middle of the second half. However, the tie lasted only 6 minutes, as Afif scored another penalty, making the score 2-1. With 13 minutes of extra time, Jordan made every effort to equalize again, but it was Afif who scored the third penalty, leading his team to the Asian Cup championship and earning the title of top scorer of the tournament with a total of 8 goals in the 18th edition of the Asian Cup. Ayman Hussein, the Iraqi national team striker, ranked second in the competition with 6 goals. The Iranian national football team lost to Qatar 3-2 in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup on February 7 and did not reach the final. Karim Bagheri stated that the national team has good players, but he cannot say he loves them 100%. Reactions from Mehran Samak's brother to the Iranian national team's game: 'We are happy that we lost.' On the line: National football team; a political tool or a beloved sport beyond politics? A significant division over the Iranian national football team; a loss that made some happy and others sad. Reactions to Iran's loss against Qatar; tears and smiles from fans and critics.