Top 10 Assists from AFC Asian Cup 2023

AFC Asian Cup 2023 did make us witness a lot of quality assists.

With the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, Qatar, the host nation lifted the trophy for second consecutive time. Jordan, the underdog, faced off against Qatar in the final and became the lowest-ranked team to ever compete in an AFC Asian Cup final, sealing a highly sought-after accomplishment and ending as Runner-up.

There have been some of the most amazing goals in this edition of the continental showpiece. While set pieces and spot kicks have contributed to a few of the goals, inventive playmaking has been responsible for the rest. Throughout, the assists have been an entertaining exhibit.

The fierce competition between the AFC member nations showcases exceptional talent on an individual and team level, highlighting the allure of football, particularly in Asian countries. Here we etch out an aide-memoire of the top 10 assists from this edition of the contest.

10. Ali Jassim (Iraq) vs Jordan

In the Round of 16 clash between Iraq and Jordan, Iraq were down to Jordan by a goal. In the 68th minute, Iraq got their much-awaited equalizer when Ali Jassim assisted Saad Natiq Naji from the corner as Iraq’s #4 headed home the pin-pointed cross which was whipped into the 18-yard box.

9. Mohammed Waad (Qatar) vs Lebanon

During Qatar’s tie against Lebanon in the Group Stage, Qatar was 1-0 up at half-time from Akram Afif’s attempt on the target. In the 56th minute, Qatar embarked on a quick counter-attack. Mohammed Waad lanced through the left flank as he landed a left-footed cross into the 18-yard box which Almoez Ali succeeded in finding at the back of the net.

8. Saman Ghoddos (Iran) vs Palestine

Iran locked horns with the underdogs Palestine in the Group Stage of the AFC Asian Cup. In the second minute of the game itself, Iran took the lead from Karim Ansarifard’s strike. During the 12 minutes of the game, Iran were awarded a free-kick close to the sideline. Saman Ghoddos whipped the set piece into the box. The ball, with an inward curve, landed in the sweet spot with pinpoint accuracy as Shoja Khalilzadeh netted it home with a header.

7.  Everton Camargo (Hong Kong) vs UAE

Hong Kong’s only goal in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 came in the 49th minute of their tie against the UAE in the Group Stage. Hong Kong were 1-0 down in the first half. From the start of the second half, they were vying for an equalizer. It was four minutes into the second half when Hong Kong’s Everton Camargo took on two UAE defenders on the right flank as the #11 whipped in the ball with his left foot from in between them. The cross was netted home by Siu Kwan Chan with a volley in dainty fashion.

6. Yakob Sayuri (Indonesia) vs Iraq

Indonesia lost 3-1 to Iraq in the Group Stage of the AFC Asian Cup. Indonesia’s only goal came in the 37th minute of the game when Yakob Sayuri put in a difficult through from the flanks during a quick counter from Indonesia and Marselino Ferdinan found it at the back of the net.

5. Ali Saleh (UAE) vs Palestine

The match between Palestine and UAE in the Group Stage ended with a 1-1 draw as both teams shared a point each from the spoil. UAE’s opening goal came in the 23rd minute when Ali Saleh’s cross from the right flank landed perfectly in Sultan Adill Amiri’s path who made it past the Palestine goalkeeper with a header.

4. Ahmed Yahya (Iraq) vs Japan

Iraq stunned Japan with a 2-1 victory in the Asia Cup. Iraq were already ahead by one goal from Ayman Hussein’s 5th-minute strike. During the injury time of the first half, Ahmed Yahya was running down the left flank with the ball at his feet. He crossed the ball from the edge of the 18-yard box which Ayman Hussein found at the back of the net registering his brace in the first half itself.

3. Oston Urunov (Uzbekistan) vs Qatar

Qatar faced Uzbekistan in the Quarter-final of the AFC Asian Cup. Hassan Al Haidos got Qatar the lead in the 27th minute. During the 59th minute of the game, Oston Ursunov made a cheeky assist with his backheel to open up the space for Odiljon Khamrobekov who blasted it into the bottom right corner of the goal with his left foot from outside the 18-yard box.

2. Ihsan Haddad (Jordan) vs Qatar

Jordan met Qatar in the finale of the AFC Asian Cup at the breathtaking Lusail stadium. Qatar won the final 3-1 securing their title of the defending champions. Jordan’s only goal came in the 67th minute when Ehsan Haddad crossed the ball into the 18-yard box which Yazan Al Naimat netted home with his left foot from the center of the box to the bottom left corner.

1. Nathaniel Atkinson (Australia) vs South Korea

Australia were up against Korea Republic in the Quarter-final of the AFC Asian Cup. In the 42nd minute of the game, Nathaniel Atkinson had the ball on the right side of the box. He cheekily lobbed the ball to the other side of the box where Craig Goodwin who was waiting for the delivery landed a perfectly timed half-volley to put the Socceroos ahead.

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