Akram Afif led Qatar to victory in the Asian Cup final with a hat-trick of penalties. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer and enhanced his reputation in Asian football. Afif expressed interest in returning to Europe, where he has played before, while celebrating Qatar’s second consecutive title. His performances drew attention and praise, furthering discussions about a potential European move.
Akram Afif showcased his talent during the Asian Cup final, scoring three penalties to lead Qatar to consecutive titles, with a final score of 3-1 against Jordan. He confirmed his status as a key player by finishing the tournament as the top scorer with eight goals, a significant improvement to his already notable reputation in Asian football. His exceptional performance is likely to reignite speculation surrounding a potential move to European football, where he has previously played with limited success in Belgium and Spain.
In the championship match, Afif’s hat-trick included a record-setting achievement, as he became the only player to score three penalties in an Asian Cup final. Along with clinching the title for Qatar, he also earned individual accolades for player of the match, tournament’s most valuable player, and top scorer. Having previously contributed significantly to Qatar’s 2019 title with a record 10 assists, Afif’s skills have drawn praise from opposition coaches.
Throughout the tournament, Afif was instrumental, netting crucial goals in various stages, including a penalty against Palestine and a solo effort to overcome Iran in the semi-finals. His aspirations to return to Europe remain intact; he previously played for Eupen in Belgium and Villarreal in Spain. Despite setbacks during loan spells at Sporting Gijon and subsequent returns to Eupen, he has flourished at Al Sadd, securing multiple domestic titles since 2018.
Afif expressed his desire to return to Europe, stating, “I’d love to become a professional player [in Europe] … I’d say I would love to go,” emphasizing that any move would also depend on his wife’s preferences. Currently, he is focused on celebrating Qatar’s Asian Cup victory and looks forward to the next tournament while considering the future. Compounding this context is the fact that very few players from the Gulf have successfully made notable impacts in European football.
While Oman goalie Ali Al Habsi made a name for himself in the English leagues, other talents like UAE’s Omar Abdulrahman have not transitioned to Europe as expected, continuing to play in domestic leagues instead.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
