Ali’s nine-goal haul makes him the most successful striker at a single AFC Asian Cup Finals ever with his total surpassing the great Ali Daei’s record, which was achieved the last time the tournament was played in the United Arab Emirates in 1996.

That tally saw him finish as the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 topscorer as well as claim the Most Valuable Player award, but despite an impressive personal haul, Ali is already setting his sights further forward.

The 28-year-old labelled the decider at Zayed Sports City Stadium as the biggest game in his life, and goals to Almoez Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim and Akram Afif ensured he finished it from at the top of the Asian football mountain.

Speaking after becoming the first player in history to hoist the new AFC Asian Cup trophy, Al Haydos revealed his delight to the-AFC.com.

Goals from Almoez Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim and Akram Afif secured the title for Sanchez’s side at the end of a gruelling month and the Spanish coach praised his side’s dedication to their trophy-winning task during the last seven games.

“Today we made history, we made history for our country so we need to be proud of our achievement,” said Sanchez, who took charge of the senior national side in June 2017. “It’s more proof that with hard work and commitment and working as a team you can reach very good results.

“This is one step more to continue developing the team to play in another tournament in the summer and to be ready in 2022 to represent Qatar.”

Ali struck once in Qatar's 3-1 win over Japan in the final at the Zayed Sports City Stadium to also seal the Top Goalscorer award on a historic night for him and his team.

The 22-year-old Al Duhail forward scored in the 12th minute with a spectacular overhead effort that left Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda helpless.

Ali was grateful to his teammates for helping him set the record.

"I expected to score goals, but I didn’t expect to score nine, I was expecting three or four. Thankfully the team helped me score many times.

"I would have been embarrassed as a striker if I didn’t score and I managed to score nine goals in seven games," said Ali.

Stunning goals from Almoez Ali and Abdelaziz Hatim had Qatar two goals ahead within half an hour, but Japan found a lifeline through Takumi Minamino in the 69th minute, before a VAR-assisted penalty conceded by Yoshida was converted by Akram Afif, effectively sealing the tie at 3-1.

Yoshida, who won the title as a 22-year-old in Qatar eight years ago, was left to reflect on one that got away for the competition's most successful nation.

The 28-year-old Al Saad custodian played a key role in Al Annabi's unprecedented march to the title, conceding only once in his side's seven matches.

Al Sheeb was almost unbeatable throughout Qatar's historic campaign, as his side became the first to reach the final with six successive clean sheets to their name.

Spectacular first-half strikes from Almoez Ali and Abdelaziz Hatim, coupled with a late penalty from Akram Afif helped Qatar seal their first-ever AFC Asian Cup title and deny the Samurai Blue a record-extending fifth Continental crown.

Takumi Minamino’s 69th minute goal had briefly hinted at a Japan revival, but notwithstanding the East Asians’ second-half rally, Moriyasu believes Qatar were full value for their success.