Tactical Analysis: Resolute defence helps Qatar outsmart Japan to win maiden AFC Asian Cup

The Maroons put up an outstanding display in the rear to stop the Blue Samurai in their tracks. 

Qatar made history in winning their first ever AFC Asian Cup by defeating Japan 3-1 at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Friday night.

The Maroons took an unexpected lead in the 12th minute thanks to some brilliance from Almoez Ali. A nicely timed ball was played in by Akram Afif and upon noticing Maya Yoshida behind him, Ali took two touches before attempting a stunning overhead kick. Gonda had no chance, allowing Ali to break the record of the most number of goals scored by an individual in a single edition of the AFC Asian Cup.

Watch: Japan 1-3 Qatar highlights

However, Qatar wasn’t done with that. Fifteen minutes later, Abdelaziz Hatim found space outside the box and attempted a curling shot which flew into the top corner. Japan were stunned. They tried to fight back and earned a lifeline through Takumi Minamino’s clever dink in the 69th minute. However, Akram Afif’s penalty seven minutes from time sealed the deal, sinking Japan’s hearts.

Hajime Moriyasu only made a single change, bringing in Tsukasa Shiotani for the hard-tackling Wataru Endo, who was injured during their semi-finals victory. Little did the tactician know the magnitude of the forced change. He constructed them in the similar 4-4-2-2 or 4-4-1-1 formation, often turning into a 4-2-4 formation to break open the packed defence of Qatar.

Qatar's tactical fluidity outsmarted Japan throughout the game 

The Maroons started with a new 5-3-2 formation, resting Karim Boudiaf and replacing him with Abdelaziz Hatem. Inversely, this new shape proved to be a masterstroke. Qatar’s formation often changed shape, turning into a 3-5-2 at times, 3-3-4 on other rare occasions going forward. However, little did Felix Sanchez allow his players to break their concentration and discipline, channelling Japan on that regard.

The Samurai Blue started the game in a vicious manner, attempting to retain the heroics in their late blitz against Iran. Moriyasu’s men looked for blood early on, attempting to move forward through the wings and using their aerial prowess to break open Qatar’s defence. However, this was all to no avail. Qatar defended in such a manner which made breaking them open seem impossible.

However, the way they transitioned from defense to attack was even more brilliant. More to the brilliance of Almoez Ali, who had the job of diverting both Yoshida and Takehiro Tomiyasu’s attention. He did so valiantly, often dragging one or the other with him whenever he came deep. But what none could match was his acceleration towards goal and often trying to mark him back, Japan broke their defensive line, something they’ve rarely done in the knockout rounds.

Ali’s goal came due to this broken line between defence and midfield. A long-standing gap in midfield allowed the ball to be played to Afif, who bode his time before playing the ball for Ali to score that intelligent acrobatic effort. Japan were stunned. Qatar, on the other hand, were just getting started.

The Maroons almost grabbed another goal instantly after. Instant pressure from Ali resulted in a frayed ball being attempted to play out of defence, meeting a header which fell right to Afif. He created a two vs two situations in the final third and played a clever pass to Ali, whose shot was bravely blocked by captain Yoshida. Moriyasu was getting tensed on the sidelines.

However, Qatar never gave up hope and didn’t allow those missed chances to get to their head. Not only did they pack their defence superbly, they always had a defender sticking close to the Japanese attacker. If their left wing-back Abdulkarim Hassan was beaten by Ritsu Doan, Tarek Salman would revert into a make-shift left-back to stop the winger. If a gap was created in the middle, industrial ball-winner Assim Madibo channelled his inner Fernandinho to tuck in the middle and stop any clear shots on goal.

The midfield play became the decider of the game on Friday night

Having to defend against an unpredictable, compact attack of Qatar, Japan were almost forced to make errors. One such error resulted in the second goal. Ali was again in the middle of things, coming in deep to play the ball to Aziz before racing in the box. This tricked Tomiyasu to follow him and Yoshida to back off, creating space to Abdelaziz to move into. The midfielder got a clear eye at goal due to everyone backing off, allowing him a fantastic shot to score Qatar’s second before the half-hour mark.

In the second half, it was almost all Japan in terms of possession. Qatar was satisfied to look for counter-attacks and keep their defence constructed to frustrate Japan even more. The Japanese were almost fighting against an army rather than just XI players. The Maroons had a big chance to put the game to bed before the hour mark when Japan’s laziness in midfield was pounced upon by Madimo, who played it forward to Almoez. Upon realizing Sakai to be up forward, he sent Afif free on the left. He did well before playing it Almoez, who shockingly missed from open range.

However, a turning point occurred around the hour mark when a nasty head clash resulted in key defender Boualem Khoukhi being stretched off. Khoukhi had kept Osako in check and made numerous clearances, so replacing him with substitute Salem Al-Hajri caused a bit of tension. Japan sensed that and put more pressure up front. They finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute after outwitting Qatar’s defence.

The crowded midfield did not help the Samurai Blue in their cause 

The Maroons lost concentration for the first time in the whole tournament and a clever ball from Shiotani to Takumi Minamino allowed the forward to go past Bassam Al Rawi, who lost his man and dink it over Saad Al Sheeb. Japan were suddenly back in it and with the loud fans behind them, found back their lost desire.

However, that lapse in concentration was the only one the Maroons would allow the whole game. What followed was defending which felt as if they were playing for their lives. They inherited all the suffering from Japan's energetic attack and never broke their discipline afterwards. It's almost they outdid Japan in their own game.

 After the mistake, Al-Rawi did really well to rally his troops and maintain a compact, disciplined line. Every single defender was commendable, with Abdelkarim Hassan and Salman frustrating the dangerous Doan and nullifying Japan’s threat through that wing.

 However, the player who gave them endless energy and protection at the back was the short, brilliant Assim Madibo. He ran himself to the ground by covering for his defenders, sniffing out attacks, winning balls, striking tough tackles and instigating attacks. He embodied the perseverance of Japan.

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The most amazing thing was Japan, knowing their aerial prowess, looked to threaten through set-pieces but not one of their chances came close because of how terrific Qatar were in thwarting every cross or dangerous ball in. They were just THAT good and emulated Japan’s own heroics which had got them so far against the Samurai Blue.  

Japan's left wing left the Samurai Blue vulnerable against Qatar

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While many felt Qatar would curb into a shell until the final whistle, they had other ideas. Another impressive counter-attack resulted in Haziz moving from defence to attack and having his shot deflected for a corner. The set-piece itself was nice, but it struck the hand of the unlucky Yoshida. VAR was called upon and a penalty was given. Akram Hassan Afif, who played the whole match delivering chances to other, received the chance to create history. He scored the winning penalty, sealing the deal for Qatar and slaying the undying spirit of the Samurai Blue.

In between the players going wild in celebration, coach Felix Sanchez was calmly drinking his water. His job is far from being done. Qatar might be the best in Asia right now but aim to be the best in the World before 2022. Heck, if they keep developing this way, they might even cause some bigger upsets at home in three years time. And if this dominating Asian Cup win proved anything, nobody will be laughing then.