Know the Coach: Marquez Lopez (Qatar)

Thu, 08 Feb, 2024

Know the Coach: Marquez Lopez (Qatar)

Doha: Qatar are within one match of retaining the AFC Asian Cup™ title and if they do, head coach Marquez Lopez will deserve as much as credit as the players.

That Qatar have made it to the final is testament to Lopez's ability to get the best out of his players despite having taken over as head coach slightly more than a month before the continental showpiece kicked off.

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Know the Coach: Hussein Ammouta (Jordan)

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

Know the Coach: Hussein Ammouta (Jordan)

Doha: Hussein Ammouta is one match away from leading Jordan to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ title and if he does, it will be the crowning glory for an individual who has spent the better part of his career - as a player and a coach - in Asia.

Having taken charge only in June, 2023, the Moroccan has plotted a title charge that had seemed unlikely even a week before the continental showpiece kicked off, with Jordan having suffered a 6-1 defeat to Japan in a friendly match.

Ammouta, however, turned his team around for their AFC Asian Cup challenge with Jordan getting stronger with each passing match at Qatar 2023.

How they got there: Qatar

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

How they got there: Qatar

Doha: Qatar will face Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ final aiming to defend the title they won in spectacular fashion in the 2019 edition.

It has been another stellar campaign for the Maroons, who emerged champions in 2019 with a perfect record of seven wins, with Marquez Lopez's side unbeaten en route to qualifying for Saturday's final at the Lusail Stadium.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at how Qatar's journey unfolded in this edition.

How they got there: Jordan

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

How they got there: Jordan

Doha: Jordan will appear in their first AFC Asian Cup™ final when they take on defending champions Qatar in the 2023 decider on Saturday.

Having never advanced beyond the quarter-final stage previously, Jordan have been a revelation in their fifth appearance at the continental showpiece.
 
The-AFC.com retraces their journey to the final.

Ma Ning to referee AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final

Fri, 09 Feb, 2024

Ma Ning to referee AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Ma Ning from China PR will take charge of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ Final on Saturday, which will be staged at the iconic Lusail Stadium.

Ma will become the first match official from China PR to oversee an AFC Asian Cup™ Final when he blows the whistle at 6pm to kick off the showdown between Jordan and Qatar in the 18th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

Semi-finals in Numbers

Thu, 08 Feb, 2024

Semi-finals in Numbers

Doha: The non-stop drama continued in the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ with the hosts winning a thrilling contest against the Islamic Republic of Iran on Wednesday and Jordan stunning Korea Republic a day earlier.

Defending champions Qatar booked their place in the final thanks to Almoez Ali’s decisive strike in a 3-2 victory, while it was second-half goals from Yazan Al Naimat and Mousa Al Tamari that put paid to Korea’s bid to win a first continental title since 1960.
 
As Qatar and Jordan now look ahead to Saturday’s showpiece event at Lusail Stadium, the-AFC.com highlights the stats and facts that caught the eye in the last-four encounters.

Teams leverage new football technology initiatives at Qatar 2023

Thu, 08 Feb, 2024

Teams leverage new football technology initiatives at Qatar 2023

Doha: The action at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ has come thick and fast as, in the blink of an eye, the 18th edition of Asia’s flagship will culminate in the highly-anticipated Final on Saturday.

While much of the attention has been on the field of play and understandably so, given the thrilling nature of the 50 matches played to date, the tournament and the 24 participating teams have also benefited from a range of new football technology initiatives that have been implemented for the first time by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the Continental showcase.