Jordan vs Qatar 1-3: AFC Asian Cup 2023 final – as it happened
All the updates as hosts and holders Qatar beat Jordan 3-1 in the Asian Cup 2023 final at Lusail Stadium.
This page is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates as Qatar beat Jordan to win the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Saturday, February 10:
This page is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates as Qatar beat Jordan to win the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Saturday, February 10:
- Hosts Qatar become back-to-back champions by beating Jordan 3-1, as Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties to win the Asian Cup.
- Afif struck in the first half of the final and then twice after the break at Lusail Stadium to finish as the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals.
- Yazan Al-Naimat had levelled the game in the second half, but Qatar were awarded two penalties on video review and Afif showed no nerves to convert both.
- Qatar, who won in 2019, have become the first team since 2004 (Japan) to win back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles.
- Jordan, meanwhile, appeared in their first AFC Asian Cup final, having never advanced past the quarterfinals in their previous four appearances at the continental showpiece.
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
Goodbye for now
That’s it from our AFC Asian Cup 2023 live coverage.
The hosts defended their crown as a favourite fell by the wayside at every stage of the competition.
It was an edition of new stars and newcomers but ultimately there’s a new player in the game in Asian football as Qatar proved the 2019 victory was no fluke.
We hope you enjoyed all our live pages as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you from the Asian Cup.
The action is far from over for the weekend on Al Jazeera though, as we bring you the final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Sunday morning followed by Manchester United vs Aston Villa and capped by the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 as hosts Ivory Coast face Nigeria.
We hope you join us again for those and all the rest of the live sport, we’ll still be bringing you here on the live pages.
For now though, from Hafsa Adil, Patrick Keddie, me Kevin Hand and the rest of the team that has brought you the Asian Cup, it’s goodbye and congratulations to Qatar.
✨ 𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐌 𝐏 𝐈 𝐎 𝐍 𝐒 ✨
🇶🇦 Qatar are the Kings of Asia. Once again.#AsianCupFinal | #AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/DI4uRHWi2z
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 10, 2024
Akif sidesteps questions on a European move
Qatar’s hero Akram Afif has been peppered with questions about any prospective move to European clubs.
He evades them by saying he’s enjoying the win at the moment and does not want to contemplate about his future at the moment.
But he does add that a move is not entirely in his hands.
“It has to come from a club and my wife has to make the decision with me,” he said.
“For now, all I know is: We are back-to-back champions.”
Qatar fans continue the party in Doha’s Souq Waqif
Qatar fans celebrate Asian Cup victory
Haddad praises fans and coach
Jordan captain Ehsan Haddad begins his news conference by apologising to the Jordanian people.
“The fans were a major factor in our success, but we failed them today despite giving it our all,” Haddad said.
He then went on to praise coach Ammouta for the turnaround he’s produced in bringing Jordan to the final.
“You have engraved your name in the hearts of all Jordanians,” an emotional Haddad told Ammouta.
“All of Jordan is behind you as you take us forward.”
The Asian Cup Winner Parade on Lusail Boulevard
The celebrations are only just beginning.
Let's celebrate Al-ANNABI together, the #AsianCup2023 champions
📍 Lusail Boulevard 🎉 #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/l60ItNID4x
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) February 10, 2024
Only Uzbekistan came close to stopping Qatar
The victory on penalties against Uzbekistan in the quarterfinal was the closest any side came to stopping Qatar’s Asian Cup defence.
It was an emphatic display from start to finish and the last-eight clash was the only game that Qatar failed to win without the the assistance of penalties.
Iran were the mightiest test in the semifinal but even the three-time winners couldn’t stop Qatar’s march to their second crown.
Barsham who wouldn’t be beaten
✨ 𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐑✨
🇶🇦 Meshaal Barsham wins #AsianCup2023 best goalkeeper!#AsianCupFinal | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/kUVC97QKDs
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 10, 2024
‘They’ve gained the respect of everyone’
Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta is visibly disappointed and says team were not up to the mark from the beginning.
“We were not focused and didn’t look comfortable on the pitch from the first minute,” he said in his post-match press conference.
Despite the crushing loss, Ammouta said he’s very proud of his boys.
“They have gained the respect of everyone who saw them play and have developed into a better unit in the past month – and that’s important as well,” he said.
The Most Valuable Player prize goes to:
The winner of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Most Valuable Player is:
✨ 𝐌𝐕𝐏✨
🇶🇦 Akram Afif is the #AsianCup2023 Most Valuable Player!#AsianCupFinal | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/fULiayhQxj
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 10, 2024
The knockout stage map is complete
Qatar complete the picture, but what about the past winners and the likely hopefuls that fell by the wayside on the way?
The flags of Iran, Japan and South Korea stand out in particular on the map of the knock-out stages.
THE CHAMPIONS of #AsianCup2023#HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/0u7d0Z22Yp
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) February 10, 2024
Another award for Qatar
Qatar were also handed the Fair Play Award for their discipline at the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
Captain Hassan Al-Haydos was first up on the podium to collect the award on behalf of the team.
The award winners
Akram Afif was handed the golden boot award before the trophy presentation.
Meshaal Barsham was awarded the golden glove award.
#AsianCup2023 TOP GOAL SCORER#HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/W3DOCVLFP7
— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) February 10, 2024
Qatar celebrate with the trophy
Jordan’s players applaud their fans
Jordan’s players have gone off the pitch and into their dressing room, but not before applauding their supporters in all corners of the ground.
There’s plenty to look forward to for the young men who have made the nation of 11 million incredibly proud.
Al-Haydos lifts the trophy!
After warmly embracing all Qatar players and coach Lopez, Sheikh Tamim walks towards the trophy with captain Al-Haydos.
But wait, what trophy presentation in Lusail is complete without a black and gold bisht?
The emir helps his captain put on the much talked about cloak before handing him the glistening silver trophy that never left Qatar.
It stays in Doha for another four years, at least.
Jordan collect runners-up medals
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah comforts and commends his players for their historic run while handing out runners-up medals.
Ammouta receives a warm embrace from Qatar’s players, Emir Sheikh Tamim and finally Prince Hussein.
The coach will receive a hero’s welcome back when he leads the team back to Amman.
Afif receives the golden boot award
A hat-trick in the final sealed it.
He was comfortably the player of the tournament, too.
Photos: Moments of pure joy for Qatar
The stage is set and the trophy emerges
The stage for the trophy ceremony has been quickly assembled and the trophy emerges from the tunnel ready to be presented to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar.
Guard of honour
Qatar’s players have formed a guard of honour for Jordan ahead of the presentation ceremony, which will be led by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Jordan’s fans haven’t left the stadium yet. They want to stay back and give their team the send off they deserve.
Sadness in Amman
Almost complete silence as the whistle blows, a stark contrast to the joyous outpouring of fans onto Amman’s streets on Tuesday.
After that semifinal win, the party had lasted all night, bringing traffic to a standstill.
Now, disappointed fans shuffle back to their cars to reflect on a disappointing performance from their team.
Tears for Jordan
There are tears from the Jordan fans, and surely from some of the players, but what a journey they have been on.
They have created their own history, having never passed the quarterfinal stage before.
Spare a thought for Jordan
Jordan pushed through to the knockouts from a tough group, then beat the Arab champions Iraq in the round of 16 and a very strong Tajikistan side in the quarters.
The an-Nashama then made short work of South Korea in the semis. They simply lacked a higher gear against the defending champions tonight.
The heartbroken men in white are being consoled by their support staff.
The first hat-trick in a final
Afif has made history.
He has been a star at this tournament.
He was a star again in the final and with his hat-trick, the golden boot is deservedly secured.