Qatar national football team players celebrate after beating Japan to lift the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Get highlights of the Japan vs Qatar final here.
Qatar national football team beat Japan 3-1 to win the AFC Asian Cup 2019 crown in Abu Dhabi on February 1. Ali Almoez, Abdel Hziz Hatim and Akram Afif (from a penalty) found the target for Qatar while Takumi Minamino scored for Japan. (Get highlights and analysis of the Japan vs Qatar AFC Asian Cup 2019 final below.)
Earlier, Qatar took full control of the final after Almoez scored his ninth goal of the tournament (establishing a new record), and Hatim nailed a scorcher to give them a 2-0 lead going into half time. Japan, who began the match by controlling possession, lost shape after the two goals and were looking out of sorts and out of ideas up front.
Simply on this game’s showing (because tournaments are won IN the final) Qatar deserve this. They have been strong at the back, and looked dangerous regularly on the counter.
Two supreme individual efforts sealed the game for them. Which one was better? Almoez’ was ingenuity in a situation of no return. Back to goal, nothing to do except that. And boy did he do it.
Hatim’s was the perfect blend of philistine sledgehammer and artistic placement.
Japan stormed back in the second half and had Qatar in all sorts of bother. They pulled one back, and then a refereeing error killed the fun of the game. Regardless, a great final.
Halftime. Two goals out of nowhere, both of brilliant individual efforts means Qatar go into the break two to the good. Japan have a wholesome task if they want to get this game competitive. And it behooves the four time champions to come up with something brilliant to win their fifth title. Now we wait. For the second half.
Half time music then. Not entirely accurate, but the Qatar defence has definitely been on top of Japan’s attacking prowess. Boulaem Khoukhi, the marshal in the centre must be proud. His boys have had Osako and co. in lockdown.
Here’s some statistics for you. Five of Almoez’s nine goals at the Asian Cup have been assisted by Akram Afif. Telepathy indeed.
We kick off now. Qatar playing from left to right get us underway. What can Japan do? What will Hajime Moriyasu’s stern words produce?
47’ Japan have taken the ball and immediately look a bit snappier. Too much snap though and Minamino is penalised for a foul in the Qatar box. There was some nice movement there. And finally some space found too.
49’ Madibo concedes a corner. He is extremely annoyed with himself about it. Japan finally get a head on it (Yoshida). It loops over though.
50’ Another corner for Japan. Their fifth of the game. Qatar clear.
51’ Another Japan corner. They’ve had three in six minutes this half. This one is more favourable for the right footer, the one swinging in. Shibasaki delivers again. Again Qatar clear.
54’ Shiotani has a pop out from 35 yards out, more out of frustration than anything. Nothing comes off it. Another corner. Qatar clear yet again. This is resolute defending. Japan need to try something different now.
55’ They do try something different, Tomiyasu and Shiotani play a gret one-two to split the Qatar defence, but the final ball is a touch too heavy and Al Sheeb collects.
56’ Off a lightning counter, Afif finds Hatim two yards from goal, but he fluffs his shot very very badly. That could’ve been it. Qatar will have a lot of chances like this and if they take even one of them, it could be the end of japan’s perfect finals record. Which is disintegrating by the minute anyway.
57’ Off another Japan corner, Khoukhi clears, but he is caught by a Yoshida, midair. He is immediately surrounded by medical personnel. Looks serious. The stretchers are out.
60’ Khoukhi is replaced by Al Hajri. Khoukhi looked in a world of pain there and his neck was on support. Hope he is fine.
61’ Haraguchi goes off and on comes Yoshinori Muto. Its like for like with a little more pace.
64’ Muto has a free header in some space inside the box. He is caught by surprise and its high and wide.
65’ Freekick to Japan about 45 yards out, to the left. Shibasaki delivers into a brilliant area but Qatar’s defence does just enough to throw Tomiyasu off.
66’ Corner to Japan. Swung in at the near post, and Muto again drags it wide. It was great movement though. He has had a few chances since he’s been on, which is more than can be said for the rest of the Japan team.
To answer Iyani El Baghdadi’s question: Gianni Infantino, in the audience today will probably do the honours. Presenting the Asian Cup to the Qatar team is not worth any Emirati official’s hands.
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