Akram Afif led Qatar to a 3-1 victory over Jordan in the Asian Cup final, scoring a hat-trick and earning multiple awards. While he dreams of returning to Europe, he acknowledges family considerations in his decision-making. Coach Marquez Lopez successfully adapted to the team prior to the tournament, while Jordan’s coach highlights the impact of pressure during their first final appearance.
LUSAIL – Akram Afif demonstrated his outstanding abilities as one of Asia’s elite forwards by scoring a hat-trick during the Asian Cup final, leading Qatar to back-to-back titles. Afif converted three penalties in Qatar’s 3-1 triumph over Jordan on February 10, earning him three individual accolades: Man of the Match, Most Valuable Player, and the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals.
Opposing coaches have lauded Afif’s talent, particularly Petar Segrt of Tajikistan, who commented on the forward’s potential return to Europe as a matter of desire. Since his impressive 2019 Asian Cup performance, where he recorded a tournament-high 10 assists, Afif has solidified his status as a formidable player.
Prior to the tournament, Afif expressed hope of returning to Europe, having started his career at Eupen in Belgium. His European journey continued at Villarreal in La Liga, but subsequent loans to Sporting Gijon and back to Eupen led him to Al-Sadd in 2018, where he continues to excel amidst a peak performance.
Afif remarked, “I talked about becoming a professional player (in Europe). But it’s not me who decides. My wife also has to make the decision for me. It’s not easy to leave the club and country.” He also affirmed, “I’d love to become a professional player (in Europe)… I’d say I would love to go.” For the moment, he intends to relish Qatar’s accomplishment of being among only five nations to retain the Asian Cup title.
Coach Marquez Lopez, who was appointed just a month before the tournament following Carlos Queiroz’s departure, successfully implemented his game strategy. However, he did not indicate whether he would remain in his position long-term, stating, “What will happen is I’ll go back to Al-Wakrah. I haven’t talked about the future.” Lopez noted that the players adapted quickly to his ideas despite the limited time.
Jordan’s coach, Hussein Ammouta, reflected on his team’s struggle with pressure in their first-ever Asian Cup final, where Qatar initially dominated. Although Jordan managed to equalize with a goal from Yazan Al-Naimat, two late penalties from Afif secured Qatar’s victory, leaving the Jordanian team devastated.
“I talked before the game about the mental aspect,” Ammouta remarked. He acknowledged that external pressures, including social media and family expectations, affected player performance. Despite the setback, Jordan marked their historic journey by reaching the semi-finals and defeating two-time champions South Korea.
Ammouta emphasized the necessity for continuous player development, stating, “We need to keep improving the players’ skills and also their physical condition.” Jordan aims to build on their recent success and maintain a competitive edge moving forward.
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Akram Afif’s stellar performance in the Asian Cup solidifies his reputation as a leading Asian forward and raises questions about his potential return to Europe. Qatar’s victory under Coach Marquez Lopez highlights successful strategies implemented under pressure. Meanwhile, Jordan’s progress in the tournament showcases their growing presence in Asian football, signaling opportunities for further development within the team.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
