The Final in Numbers

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

The Final in Numbers

Doha: After an action-packed month that saw 51 matches producing 132 goals, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday with hosts Qatar emerging as the champions and defending their continental crown. 

Akram Afif was Qatar’s hero as his hat-trick of penalties defeated the tournament’s surprise package Jordan 3-1 and won the Maroons their second AFC Asian Cup title in front of more than 86,000 fans at Lusail Stadium.
 
As the dust begins to settle on another glorious campaign for Qatar, the-AFC.com reviews a memorable final by taking a closer look at some of the key facts and stats that caught the eye. 

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Lopez hails Qatar's history makers

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Lopez hails Qatar's history makers

Doha: Head coach Marquez Lopez lauded his Qatar players for their composure and focus in their 3-1 victory over Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final on Saturday.

The hosts produced a dominant display from start to finish with Akram Afif netting a hat-trick of penalties to seal the victory at a packed Lusail Stadium, a victory which meant back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles for Qatar.

Ammouta: Jordan can walk tall despite final heartbreak

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Ammouta: Jordan can walk tall despite final heartbreak

Lusail: The title eluded Jordan but Hussein Ammouta only had words of praise and encouragement for his players after their defeat to Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final on Saturday.

Having gatecrashed the final with a series of scintillating performances, Jordan could produce only some of the form that had taken them within one match of winning the title as Qatar powered to their second successive title with a 3-1 win.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ our crowning moment: Shaikh Salman

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ our crowning moment: Shaikh Salman

18th edition sets new attendance, broadcast and digital engagement records; four sides make Knockout stage debuts

Doha: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Qatar on creating history as the West Asians became only the fifth team to defend their AFC Asian Cup™ crown after defeating Jordan 3-1 in a pulsating Final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

Super Afif named MVP, wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Super Afif named MVP, wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Doha: Akram Afif was named the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Most Valuable Player and also picked up the Yili Top Scorer Award on Saturday as his outstanding performances helped Qatar clinch the Continental title for the second consecutive time. 

The striker, who netted a hat-trick of penalties in the final, scored eight goals and made three assists in a campaign which saw him play a major part in the Maroons retaining the title they won in 2019, becoming one of only five teams to have managed such feat. 

Qatar's Barsham takes Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

Qatar's Barsham takes Best Goalkeeper honour

Doha: Qatar's Meshaal Barsham was named the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Best Goalkeeper after playing a pivotal role in his side lifting the coveted trophy for the second successive time.

The custodian, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Wednesday, started six of Qatar's seven matches with the Maroons defeating Jordan 3-1 in a thrilling final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.

#ACL - R16: Players to Watch (West)

Sun, 11 Feb, 2024

#ACL - R16: Players to Watch (West)

Kuala Lumpur: As the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ comes to an end, attention quickly shifts to club football, with 16 clubs from across the continent battling for places in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 over the next two weeks.

With four clubs from Saudi Arabia joined by two from Uzbekistan and one each from the United Arab Emirates and Islamic Republic of Iran, there will be some tasty encounters in the Round of 16 (West). The-AFC.com looks at key players who could decide the outcome of the upcoming match-ups.

#ACL - R16: Players to Watch (East)

Sat, 10 Feb, 2024

#ACL - R16: Players to Watch (East)

Kuala Lumpur: After an exciting month of AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ action, the attention swiftly turns to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 as the teams that advanced from the group stage continue their quests to become the best on the continent. 

With an array of stars set to take to the field in the last 16 in the coming week, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on a key player from each of the eight teams in the East Zone who could be crucial for their respective sides' chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.

West Zonal S-Finals: Players to Watch

Sat, 10 Feb, 2024

West Zonal S-Finals: Players to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: Four teams resume their journey in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal Semi-finals, with dreams of lifting the trophy of the last-ever edition of the competition which was won by teams from the West zone on nine of the past 10 editions.

Bahrain’s Al Riffa take on Oman’s Al Nahda while Lebanon’s Al Ahed face Iraq’s Al Kahrabaa in the next phase of the competition. Ahead of the action on Monday and Tuesday, the-AFC.com profiles key players to watch in the upcoming stage.