The host nation Qatar took the lead after just over 20 minutes of play in the final against Jordan of the Asian Championship. Akram Afif was on the run and would enter the penalty area from one edge. When the forward had just entered the box, an opponent was on him in the ass and therefore the outcome was a penalty kick.
Afif took care of the punishment on his own and he managed it in the best way. The 27-year-old’s celebration was somewhat odd. He took out a card from the sock representing himself and he offered a card trick where the other side showed an “S” (see clip in the player).
Sammee Afif was also involved in an odd situation just before the break. The forward was carried out on a stretcher after he got a thorn. But despite the ominous scenes, he stepped back onto the field and played on.
Jordan pushed for an equalizer in the second half and were rewarded in the 67th minute when Yazan Al-Naimat found the right. But shortly afterwards Qatar received another penalty and even that time Afif was ice cold. 2-1. He would try the card trick one more time, but this time his hands were not in control and it ended in a celebratory flop.
In added time, Qatar received a third penalty after the big player of the match, Akram Afif, went over when he was going to round the goalkeeper in a free position. Even that time he kept his composure and made it 3-1. A hat-trick from the penalty spot, that is.
The final ended 3-1.
Qatar also won the 2019 Asian Championship.
Qatar: Barsham – Salman, Mukhtar, Lucas Mendes – Abdurisag, Gaber, Fatehi, Al Haydos, Abdulwahnhab – Ali, Afif.
Jordan: Abu Laila – Nasib, Al-Arab, Al-Ajalin – Haddad, Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh, Al Mardhi – Al-Taamari, Al-Naimat, Olwan,
