Akram Afif led Qatar to a second consecutive Asian Cup title, scoring a hat-trick in the final against Jordan. He has expressed interest in returning to European football but noted the complexities of such a decision. Despite the loss, Jordan’s coach highlighted their historic achievement of reaching the final.
LUSAIL – Akram Afif demonstrated his prowess as one of Asia’s premier forwards with a hat-trick in the Asian Cup final, leading Qatar to back-to-back championships. He scored all three of his team’s penalties in a 3-1 win over Jordan on Feb 10, earning individual accolades including Man of the Match, Most Valuable Player, and top scorer with a total of eight goals in the tournament.
Afif’s impressive performance has drawn praise from opposing coaches, with Tajikistan’s Petar Segrt stating that it is only a matter of time before the 27-year-old forward considers returning to European football. Previously, Afif made significant contributions to Qatar’s 2019 title run with a tournament-record 10 assists, establishing himself as a formidable player in Asian football.
At the tournament’s outset, Afif expressed aspirations of moving back to Europe, where he previously played for Eupen in the Belgian Pro League. He later became the first Qatari to join a La Liga club, signing with Villarreal in 2016, though he faced interim loan spells before settling with Al-Sadd in 2018.
After the final, Afif remarked on the complexities of his potential move, noting, “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.” However, he added, “I’d love to become a professional player (in Europe)… I’d say I would love to go.”
Currently, Afif remains focused on Qatar’s achievement of being the fifth nation to successfully defend their Asian Cup title. He stated, “We’re happy and we will enjoy until the next Asian Cup. Then we’ll see what happens.”
Coach Marquez Lopez, who took over the Qatar national team shortly before the tournament, implemented his strategies effectively despite the limited preparation time. He did not confirm plans for long-term management, mentioning, “What will happen is I’ll go back to Al-Wakrah. I haven’t talked about the future.”
Moreover, Jordan’s coach, Hussein Ammouta, acknowledged that the pressure of the finals affected his team, despite their commendable journey to the final. He noted that Qatar took the lead early on, but they regained momentum with Afif’s penalties after Jordan equalized with Yazan Al-Naimat’s goal.
Ammouta elaborated on the mental strain the players faced, remarking, “I talked before the game about the mental aspect… I told them to enjoy the game. It’s a final, but I told them to enjoy it.” He recognized that external pressures could hinder performance but emphasized the importance of continued player development.
Despite their loss, Jordan reached their first-ever Asian Cup final and defeated two-time champions South Korea to secure a place in this historic match. Ammouta stated the need for ongoing improvements in skills and overall team performance: “We need to keep improving the players’ skills and also their physical condition.”
In conclusion, Akram Afif’s remarkable performance in the Asian Cup final not only secured Qatar’s title but also highlighted his potential return to European football. As both Qatar and Jordan reflect on their respective journeys, the focus shifts to future opportunities for growth and success in international competitions.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
