AFC Asian Cup 2023: Qatar's road to final

The defending champions have won all their games in AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Qatar is the sole team in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to have maintained an undefeated record and advanced to the final. With fervent support from the home fans, they have overcome every opposing team they have encountered.

Placed alongside Tajikistan, China, and Lebanon in Group A, Qatar commenced their campaign by securing a victory against Lebanon in their inaugural match of the tournament. Subsequently, they proceeded to lead the group stage standings by emerging victorious in each of their three matches.

In this article we will have a look at Qatar’s road to the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Group Stage Match 1: Qatar vs Lebanon (3-0)

On January 12, 2024, Qatar competed against Lebanon in their inaugural group stage match. Displaying remarkable prowess, Qatar surpassed their opponents with a 3-0 victory. Akram Afif contributed two goals, while Almoez Ali scored one, solidifying their team’s resounding win.

Group Stage Match 2: Qatar vs Tajikistan (1-0)

On the 17th of January, Qatar competed against Tajikistan in their second group stage match. The game unfolded as a markedly one-sided affair, with the home team maintaining control throughout the match and claiming 60% possession. Akram Afif emerged as the sole scorer, securing a goal in the 17th minute and contributing to Qatar’s second victory in the tournament.

Group Stage Match 3: Qatar vs China (1-0)

In their third match of group stage, scheduled on 22nd of January, Qatar faced China.Till the conclusion of the first half, neither team managed to score. However, in the second half, Hassan Al-Haydos secured the sole goal of the match in the 66th minute, leading his team to their third victory in the tournament and concluding the group stage fixture at the summit of the table.

Round of 16: Qatar vs Palestine (2-1)

In the round of 16, Qatar competed against Palestine on the 29th of January. Palestine seized the lead in the match with a goal in the 37th minute by Oday Dabbagh, marking the first goal against Qatar in the entire tournament. However, Hasan Al-Haydos scored the equalizer in the 45+6th minute of play. 

With the game evenly balanced after the first half, Akram Afif converted a penalty in the 49th minute, enabling Qatar to take the lead and ultimately secure a 2-1 victory, advancing to the quarter-final stage.

Quarter Final: Qatar vs Uzbekistan (1(3)-1(2))

Uzbekistan experienced a successful run in the tournament until they encountered Qatar in the quarterfinal round on February 3, 2024. Qatar gained the lead with a goal by Hasan Al-Haydos in the 27th minute, to which Uzbekistan responded with a goal by Odiljon Hamrobekov in the 59th minute, equalizing the score. 

Despite extra time, the score remained unchanged, leading to a penalty shootout, in which Qatar converted three goals while Uzbekistan managed only two, eventually leading Qatar to win the match and secure a place in the semi final stage.

Semi Final: Qatar vs Iran (3-2)

After Jordan secured their place in the final, the outcome of the match between Qatar and Iran on February 7th determined the second finalist. The game commenced with an early goal by Sardar Azmoun for Iran in the 4th minute. Qatar swiftly responded with an equalizer by Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam in the 17th minute before taking the lead with Akram Afif’s goal in the 43rd minute.

In the latter part of the match, Iran leveled the score through a penalty converted by Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the 51st minute. However, Qatar’s Almoez Ali secured the third goal in the 82nd minute, dashing Iran’s hopes of reaching the final.

Final: Qatar vs Jordan 

Qatar is going to face Jordan in the final of AFC Asian Cup 2023 on February 10, 2024 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. 

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