Qatar has won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals against Japan at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Stadium and has made history. This is the very first time that Qatar has reached this stage in the Asian Cup; having been knocked out in qualifying rounds before reaching the semi finals in all other Asian Cups.
After winning six matches each during the football tournament, Qatar took on four - time AFC Asian Cup winners Japan – followed only be Saudi Arabia and Iran with three Cups to their name - in an exciting match that ended with 3 - 1 score in Qatar’s favour.
The first goal was scored by Almoez Ali in the 12th minute of the match, assisted by Akram Hassan Atif, as he right footed the shot from the centre of the goal box into its bottom right corner.
The second goal was scored in the 27th minute of the game by Abdelaziz Hatim, who was assisted by Akram, as he left footed the shot from the outside of the goal box to the top left corner.
Akram Hassan Afif scored a goal in the 83rd minute after a penalty kick with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner of the goal box, after Japan's Maya Yoshida was given a yellow card for touching the ball with his hand during play.
Takumi Minamino, was assisted by Yuya Osako, as he right footed a shot from the box's centre straight into the goal's centre area in the final's 69th minute.
This is the very first time in the history of the football tournament that Qatar has won the finals.
This is the very first time that the Qatar national football team has qualified beyond the quarter finals in any AFC Asian Cup football tournament.
Another historical feat for Qatar is attaining the top scorer award in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Almoez scored nine goals to qualify for the award, beating the score of eight goals made by Iran's Ali Daei in a single tournament. He won the same award at the AFC U-23 Championship which took place in China in 2018.
Almoez has been named the most valuable player of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after the way he has played in the entire football tournament.
The best goalkeeper award has been given to Saad al Sheeb after his outstanding performance in defending Qatar during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The player with the most assists is Akram who helped set up 10 goals, which gave a tournament high of 22 chances. This is eight chances more than any of the other players have attained.
The final of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup was screened in different public places, malls, hotels and restaurants all over Doha so locals and expats could cheer for Qatar and support our national football team.
In addition, as a special gift to its viewers, beIN Media Group broadcast the finals match free to air on different mediums that included their Facebook page and their YouTube channel.
Despite the fact that people from Qatar were not there to support their team throughout the football tournament, support poured in from Omanis, Kuwaitis and other expat communities who cheered Qatar on to win. Amongst those that were rooting for Qatar is a Korean lady, Merry Lee, who has been supporting Qatar throughout the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and even those held before.
Did you watch the finals? What do you think of this historic win? Did you watch it in a public place or at home? Do let us know your thoughts in our Comments section. Like and share the article - it keeps us going!
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