As the Asian Cup 2024 reaches its pinnacle, football enthusiasts eagerly await the showdown between Jordan and Qatar in the grand final. Set to unfold amidst the electric atmosphere of the tournament’s culmination, this clash promises to be a spectacle of skill, strategy, and unwavering determination. Both teams have navigated through intense battles to reach this stage, each displaying resilience and flair along the way. Now, as they prepare to face off on the hallowed turf of the Lusail Stadium in which the 2022 World Cup Final was held, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Jordan, the opportunity to engrave their name in Asian footballing history beckons, while Qatar aims to defend their title and continue their reign as champions. With anticipation mounting and dreams of glory within reach, the stage is set for an unforgettable encounter in the Asian Cup final.
Team News:
Both teams seem to have an entirely clean bill of health, making this an especially exciting final in which both teams are able to field fully fit squads.
𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) February 8, 2024
Two teams will face each other at #AsianCupFinal in the quest to etch their name for eternity!#AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia | #JORvQAT pic.twitter.com/q3EBIKUpTy
Key Players:
Jordan: Mousa Al-Tamari
Dubbed the ‘Jordanian Messi’, Al-Tamari has emerged as Jordan’s standout performer, contributing three goals and an assist to his team’s success so far. He is unique in that he is the sole player in the Jordanian squad currently playing in Europe, representing Montpellier SC in France. He has shown his quality in Ligue 1, scoring twice away at Lyon earlier in the season. Known for his direct style of play and exceptional dribbling speed, Al-Tamari poses a significant threat to any opposing defence.
Qatar: Akram Afif
Afif, a Qatari legend, has scored or assisted 19 of the last 29 Qatari goals at the Asia Cup. His influence can’t be understated. After a brief European career with Villareal and Sporting Gijon, Afif has become a hero in Qatar at Al-Saad and he won the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2019. This tournament, Afif has been in terrific form, grabbing five goals and three assists. His speed, skill, and craftiness have created mayhem for opposition defenders throughout the Asia Cup.
Head-to-Head
In their history of competitive and friendly encounters, Jordan and Qatar have faced each other a total of 23 times. Among these matches, Jordan emerged victorious in 6, while Qatar secured victory in 12 instances. The remaining 5 matches ended in draws. Their most recent encounter dates back to a friendly match in 2018, where Jordan suffered a 2-0 defeat against Qatar.
Road to the Final
Jordan commenced their group stage campaign with a convincing 4-0 triumph over Malaysia, followed by a hard-fought 2-2 draw against South Korea. Despite suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat against Bahrain, Jordan secured passage to the next round. In the round of 16, they orchestrated a thrilling 3-2 victory over Iraq in a dramatic encounter. Continuing their momentum, Jordan secured a narrow 1-0 win against Tajikistan in the quarterfinals before stunning three-time champions South Korea with a resounding 2-0 triumph in the semifinals, marking their most significant result of the tournament.
Qatar asserted their dominance in the group stage with a flawless 100 percent winning record, securing victories over Lebanon, Tajikistan, and China. Not only that, they didn’t concede a goal in the group stages. Their momentum continued into the knockout stage as they narrowly defeated Palestine 2-1 in the round of 16. In a tightly contested quarterfinal matchup against Uzbekistan, Qatar emerged victorious with a hard-fought 3-2 penalty shootout win. The semifinals saw Qatar face off against Iran, where they achieved a remarkable 3-2 triumph, further solidifying their status as contenders for the title.
Jordan are the underdogs, priced at 13/5 on bet365. Qatar, with their home advantage, are favourites at 23/20 on bet365.
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By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyH3lfgott on Twitter
