Goal-scorer Akram Afif said ‘the best is yet to come’ after hosts and holders Qatar squeezed into an Asian Cup final against Jordan with a dramatic 3-2 win over Iran on Wednesday.
Qatar lost all three of their World Cup games on home soil just over a year ago, the worst record of any host in the competition’s history. But that was all a distant memory as they celebrated in front of over 40,000 fans after a breathless semi-final at Al Thumama Stadium.
“This victory was not easy,” said Afif, who scored his fifth goal of the tournament to give Qatar a half-time lead. “We are very proud of ourselves and our fans. They deserve tonight’s win and hopefully the best is yet to come.”
Iran had Shojae Khalilzadeh sent off in injury time before an ugly confrontation between both sets of players flared after the final whistle. Sardar Azmoun gave Iran the lead in the fourth minute before Qatar equalised soon after when Jassem Gaber’s shot went in via a heavy deflection.