Tag: AFC Asian Cup

‘In Gaza, football is the only escape’: Palestine star Mahmoud Wadi on war | Football

On October 7, Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Wadi was recovering from an injury in Egypt when Israel launched its war on Gaza, following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel.

The 29-year-old, from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, has spent the past five months desperately seeking news about the safety of his friends and family in the besieged enclave while travelling with the Palestinian national team.

He has lived through three Israeli military assaults on Gaza – in 2008, 2012 and 2014 – and says he remembers spending every night wondering if he would make it to dawn.

Wadi, who now lives in Cairo and plays for Arab Contractors in the Egyptian Premier League, was part of Palestine’s squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar, where the team recorded a historic second-round finish.

The al-Fidayi (as the Palestinian team is known to its fans) received passionate support from the crowds of people from various countries, religions and age groups, who turned up in their tens of thousands to support the Palestinian team before their round-of-16 elimination by hosts and eventual champions Qatar.

In a conversation with Al Jazeera, Wadi opens up about the struggles of putting on his best performance on the field while the war rages at home.

Al Jazeera: Growing up in Gaza, what did football mean to you?

Wadi: Football is the only escape from war and the Israeli occupation. Young people and children turn to football as it offers distraction from the circumstances. Football makes them feel good. In Gaza, we love football. But the wars waged against us over the years, the harsh economic conditions and the siege that has completely closed Gaza and its people, preventing children from achieving their [footballing] dreams.

The Israeli occupation always places barriers and obstacles that prevent us from achieving that and, unfortunately, people leave Palestine. We are forced to look for options elsewhere.

Al Jazeera: Why did you leave Gaza and how difficult was that decision?

Wadi: To leave your country, your homeland, your family and your friends for a better future is not easy. It brings a constant feeling of alienation and loneliness. But we make sacrifices for our ambitions. We are people who love life, people who want to live like others and follow our dreams. The difficulty lies in the fact that you are leaving behind the people you love.

Now, I live abroad and my family is in Gaza exposed to the killing, destruction and displacement. I left Gaza, my family and friends to play football, but I live in fear and anxiety.

We do not leave Palestine because it is not a beautiful country. We love our land madly, but we have to search for a better life.

Al Jazeera: What are the struggles of being an international footballer for Palestine?

Wadi: In light of the Israeli occupation and its obstacles, it is not easy to be a footballer. It has a massive impact because you cannot gather players for football camps in Palestine.

Players from Gaza cannot enter the occupied West Bank, and vice versa. There are players outside Palestine who cannot enter, and so on. Despite the difficult circumstances, the Palestine national team gathers abroad from various places. We have players from the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, Palestine 48, from various Palestinian refugee camps in the occupied territories, and from the diaspora.

No team in the world can go through such conditions and participate in a prestigious regional championship [like we have]. This in itself is considered a great Palestinian achievement and source of pride.

We have always harboured dreams and ambitions but the occupation tries to crush our spirit. We rose from under the rubble of three wars in order to reach where we are now, and we hope to carry on this path. We derive our strength from our people’s courage and steadfastness.

Mahmoud Wadi, centre, trains with the Palestinian football team during the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Doha, Qatar [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Al Jazeera: How difficult is it for you to communicate with friends and family back home?

Wadi: It is very difficult, especially when communication is cut off in Gaza. I have never left my phone since the start of the war. Be it in Egypt, while travelling with the team, or during our training sessions.

One morning, my brother disappeared. No one in my family knew anything due to a communication blackout. I felt very anxious during those 10 hours until I heard from him.

This is our situation: A constant feeling of anxiety and unimaginable conditions. It’s indescribable not knowing where your loved ones are, feeling helpless and unable to do anything. All you can do is pray. Every second of our lives is a test.

Al Jazeera: How do you feel after speaking to your family and friends in Gaza?

Wadi: They try to describe a small part of the reality they live through every day but it’s very difficult for them to convey their feelings. Words cannot describe the reality of the war. Our conversations are focused on the harsh and bitter conditions they face. But just like everyone else in Gaza, they remain brave.

Al Jazeera: What was it like to meet your family after two months?

Wadi: I met my mother, brothers, and their families in Egypt after more than 80 days of war. I had an image in my mind about the ugliness of the war, but when I looked at their weak faces, eyes, frail bodies, and white hair, it was far worse than anything I could imagine.

I have lived through three wars. It was scary spending nights waiting for bombs to drop and for the roof to crush me – but this war is not the same.

Al Jazeera: What is the last memory of Gaza in your mind?

Wadi: I remember the people, their affection, and their bonds of love. It feels great.

My last memory of Gaza was its sea, streets, buildings, and the electricity schedule – on for eight hours and off for the next eight.

Despite everything, Gaza was developing every day. Clean streets, beautiful facilities, restaurants, chalets on the sea – that’s the image of Gaza imprinted in my memory.

It deserved preservation of its sweetness and beauty. Despite the war, death and destruction, it is still beautiful and it will be more beautiful.

Just as we built it before, we will build it a second time, a third time and so on.

Al Jazeera: If you were able to go back to Gaza now, what would you do?

Wadi: I want to return to Gaza after the war ends and offer my condolences to the family of my best friend Hamed, who was martyred in this war. I want to see my brothers and their children, my friends, and I want to see Gaza and what happened to it after all this destruction.

I want to share with people a bit of their sorrow and memories of the war. I want to be a part of their suffering.

INTERACTIVE - Scale of destruction across Gaza-1707213623

Al Jazeera: How did you feel when you saw the horrific video of Yarmouk Stadium being destroyed by Israeli forces?

Wadi: Yarmouk Stadium is not the only destroyed facility. There are thousands of mosques, churches, offices, hospitals, universities, and schools. Not even a tree or a stone has been spared.

I scored many goals in Yarmouk Stadium as hundreds of fans cheered. The image of the tank circling the stadium remains fresh in my memory. There are no words to describe its ugliness. But no matter how horrific these scenes are, they aren’t as horrific as the death of children and the images of them being blown into pieces that we see every day.

I can’t forget them for a single moment. They live within me.

Palestinian spectators watch the first leg of the Palestine Cup final football match between Gaza Strip’s Shejaia and Hebron’s Al-Ahly at Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza City, August 6, 2015 [File: Suhaib Salem/Reuters]

Al Jazeera: When you step on the football pitch, are you able to take your mind off the war in Gaza?

Wadi: The war affects my family, my friends, and my people.

My cousin was martyred. My best friend was martyred. My childhood memories were destroyed. The occupation has destroyed all lives in Gaza.

Even if someone survives this war, they won’t be able to live a normal life. There are no job opportunities, no education, no offices or markets in Gaza. They killed all life there. We cannot forget the suffering, but it can motivate us.

The ferocity can be seen in the [Palestinian] team on the pitch. It reflects the character of the Palestinian people. As players, we motivate ourselves to make people happy, even if it is for a single moment.

We derive our strength from the suffering and steadfastness of our people.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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Qatar keep AFC Asian Cup trophy at home with 3-1 win over Jordan | AFC Asian Cup News

Lusail Stadium, Qatar – The world’s eyes were on the majestic Lusail Stadium once again as it played host to yet another historic final that saw hosts Qatar hold on to their Asian Cup crown against first-time finalists Jordan.

The country’s favourite footballing son and the tournament’s standout performer Akram Afif was the hero as he slotted in three penalties that gave Qatar a 3-1 win in an all-Arab AFC Asian Cup 2023 final on Saturday.

The hosts were one of the contenders for the crown but not outright favourites when they opened their tournament campaign with a 3-0 over Lebanon at the same venue last month.

But they leave Lusail as back-to-back champions – the first time the feat has been achieved since Japan’s consecutive wins in 2000 and 2004 – and with their star Afif as the continent’s best player.

Losing finalists Jordan leave with their hearts broken but their heads held high after an inspirational run at the tournament that landed them in their first-ever final.

Nerves wreak havoc on Jordan

An-Nashama began the match with jangled nerves and under the weight of the expectations of their adoring fans. They were unable to complete moves and lay the ball through to their strike force of Musa Tamari and Yazan Al Naimat.

The poor start eventually cost them when Qatar were awarded a penalty midway through the first half and Afif was handed the ball by his captain Hassan Al-Haydos. The number 11 made no mistake and rolled down his sock to bring out a card with the letter S written on it to celebrate.

His unique goal celebration sparked social media debates but Afif later confirmed it was a nod to his wife whose name begins with the letter and whom he credits with his success.

“It was her first time watching me inside a stadium so I decided to dedicate it to her,” he told bemused reporters afterwards.

Jordan reemerged a much-improved side after half-time. Pushed on by their raucous supporters, the players began showing glimpses of their attacking prowess. It resulted in an equalising goal from Al Naimat and the game seemed to be heading for a nail-biting last half-hour.

As soon as the ball returned to Jordan’s half, Jordan defended clumsily and gave away another penalty. Afif duly obliged to score the goal that put his tournament Golden Boot award beyond any doubt.

The swift change in fortunes and scoreline seemed too much to take for the Jordanian players and their fans. Their loud chants gave way to stunned silence as Qatar’s fans celebrated in disbelief.

Jordan players look dejected after the match [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]

Later on, Jordan’s coach Hussein Ammouta would pinpoint the second penalty as the moment his team fell far behind the hosts.

“The timing of the penalties was crucial and they didn’t allow us to make a comeback,” he said in his post-match news conference.

Ammouta, who has won over Jordanians in a matter of weeks, said the pressure from players’ friends and families, as well as fans on social media, may have impacted their performance.

“I cannot take away their phones and tablets and tell them they can’t talk to people – but I did have a fear that these factors would have an impact on their mental state during the match.”

Akram Afif holds up a card reading ‘S’ after scoring Qatar’s first goal [Molly Darlington/Reuters]

‘Cristiano of the Middle East’

Qatar’s win and Jordan’s fate were sealed in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Afif completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after being handed the ball yet again by his teammates.

The 27-year-old was the standout performer and it was only a matter of time that he would be linked to European leagues.

But the Al Sadd striker, who has had loan spells at Spanish clubs, evaded the questions and said any potential move would have to be initiated by a club and approved by his beloved wife.

“For now, what I do know is that we’re back-to-back [Asian] champions,” Afif said with a shrug.

With his player-of-the-match performance, Afif won over new fans from across the Arab world.

“He [Afif] is too good – my word, he’s the Cristiano [Ronaldo] of the Middle East,” Mohammed Rabeea, who came to watch the final from Kuwait, told Al Jazeera after the match.

Others, like eight-year-old Mohammed al-Kaabi, were over the moon to see the player score a hat-trick.

“It’s the happiest day of my life!” the young fan exclaimed outside the stadium.

Hassan Al-Haydos with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani [Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters]

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was in attendance during the match and handed warm embraces and winners’ medals to al-Annabi.

When the time came for the trophy to be handed to the winning captain Al-Haydos there was a moment’s delay. What trophy presentation in Lusail is complete without a black-and-gold bisht? The emir helped his captain put on the now world-renowned cloak before handing him the glistening trophy that never left Qatar.

Al-Haydos, Afif and Qatar’s hero in goal Meeshal Barsham collected the tournament’s top awards and ensured the trophy doesn’t leave the country for another four years – at least.

Lusail Stadium lit up with a ring of fireworks once again and its adjoining boulevard hosted another champions’ parade a year on.

The party that started in Lusail carried on towards different parts of the country with beeping cars and waving flags.



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Asian Cup final brings FIFA World Cup frenzy back to Qatar’s Souq Waqif | AFC Asian Cup News

Doha, Qatar – On Friday nights, Souq Waqif – Qatar’s old-style all-purpose market that also serves as the country’s central tourist attraction – brings together people from all walks of life, dozens of different nationalities and varying interests for a unique mix of colour and noise.

But when the country plays host to a football tournament – be it the world’s biggest sporting event such as the FIFA World Cup or a regional championship – the excitement reaches a fever pitch.

On the eve of the final of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup 2023, the famous marketplace in the heart of Doha was the marching ground of football fans of both teams vying for the continental crown in Saturday’s final at Lusail Stadium.

Passionate supporters of an-Nashama – the gentlemen, as Jordan’s football team is lovingly known – gathered in a big circle to sing traditional songs and dance to the beat of their own tune.

“They are saying the team is like an agal [a traditional black cord that is worn by men in the Middle East as part of their headdress] to them and they wear this as a crown and with immense pride,” Waed Dolaat, a Jordan fan who was watching on from a distance, told Al Jazeera.

Ahmed, Mahmoud and Taiba Dolaat at Souq Waqif, Doha [Hafsa Adil/Al Jazeera]

Dolaat and her three children, Mahmoud, Ahmed and Taiba, have travelled to Qatar to support their team in their quest for a historic first Asian Cup crown.

The fact that Jordan face Qatar in the final brings excitement and relief for the Dolaat family.

“We have come here with great hope that our team will win, but even if they don’t we won’t be bitterly disappointed as we like Qatar as well,” she said.

As if on cue, the crowd turned their attention towards the opponents.

“It’s better to have family or friends [in the final] instead of a stranger,” the men sang.

Mahmoud, the 10-year-old, harboured a fear that his team may feel the heat of playing in front of tens of thousands of Qatar supporters.

“I hope they don’t feel the pressure and I hope the referee is fair,” he quipped.

For fans of Qatar, the final brings back memories from four years ago when they went against all odds to lift their maiden Asian Cup trophy in the UAE.

“I started following this team after the Asian Cup win in 2019,” Abdullah Qahtani told Al Jazeera as Jordanians pranced around Souq Waqif from one end to the other.

Qahtani praised Qatar’s newly-appointed coach Marquez Lopez and the players for turning their fortunes around after a poor run at the home World Cup more than a year ago.

“The al-Annabi will win tonight and we will drive all over Qatar to celebrate – from Lusail to Katara and Souq Waqif,” he said.

While the younger generation will be out on the streets, the older fans are likely to watch from the comfort of their homes.

Special arrangements will be made at every Qatari home’s majlis – an area in a house or a separate building connected to the house which is used for all sorts of gatherings, from daily lounging to more important events by the men of the household.

Bigger screens will make way for smaller ones, a wide range of snacks and hot beverages will be served and close-knit groups of friends and family members.

Should Qatar win, celebrations are likely to last until the early hours of the morning.

Despite being the home team, al-Annabi will have to put up with the clamour of thousands of an-Nashama fans who either live in Qatar or have travelled from all over the world to watch the game at Lusail.

Mohammed and Yazeedi Alshobaki have made a 600km (372 miles) journey from Riyadh to back the young men who bring them “immense joy”.

“The team has a special talent, and when they combine it with the will to fight on the pitch to bring joy to the people of Jordan, it makes them champions in our eyes,” Mohammed said.

The brothers do not have tickets to the final but they came to Doha anyway to soak up the atmosphere.

“We have heard the champions’ parade is going to be in Lusail, so we will be there – waiting to see the boys emerge from the stadium as champions of Asia,” Yazeedi said.

Jordan fans Mohammed (left) and Yazeedi (right) at Souq Waqif, Doha [Hafsa Adil/Al Jazeera]

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Preview: Jordan vs Qatar – AFC Asian Cup 2023 final | AFC Asian Cup News

Who: Jordan vs Qatar
What: AFC Asian Cup 2023 final
When: Saturday, February 10, 2024, 6pm (15:00 GMT)
Where: Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar

After nearly a month of high-octane football, featuring several surprises and upsets, the AFC Asian Cup is set to conclude with an all-Arab final, as hosts Qatar look to defend their title against giant-killers Jordan.

Qatar entered the tournament as the reigning champions, but they were not counted among the outright favourites to lift the trophy owing to their poor record against higher-ranked sides in the build-up to the event.

But Tintin Marquez Lopez‘s side have exceeded expectations with an all-round performance and by reaching the final for a second straight time. Enjoying the support of a partisan crowd, Qatar have scored in every game on their way to the final.

“I’m very proud to be a part of this squad – a month ago no one expected us to reach the final, no one thought we could deliver these performances,” Qatar skipper Hassan Al-Haydos told reporters on Friday.

“Working together with the coach, technical staff and the Qatar Football Association, we were able to reach this level because of the squad’s unity.”

[Al Jazeera]

‘Jordan will respond to the critics’

While Qatar will carry the weight of expectations, Jordan will play with nothing to lose in their maiden AFC Asian Cup final.

The surprise package of the tournament, Jordan finished third in their group and scraped through to the knockouts, where they suddenly elevated their game to eliminate heavyweights Iraq and South Korea.

That was a triumph for their Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta, who was heavily criticised when they finished 2023 without a win in seven games, which included six losses.

“I’m very satisfied with our achievement because it was a personal challenge,” Ammouta said.

“When a team loses the coach is blamed and when they win they say it’s because of team morale. We prepare with all aspects in mind – physical, mental, tactical and psychological.

“I hope we’ll be ready when the first whistle blows and we’ll respond to the critics, 99 percent of the time I don’t listen to them since I don’t find anything useful.”

Jordan’s players to watch

Mousa Al-Tamari
With three goals and an assist, Al-Tamari has been Jordan’s standout performer. The only player in the Jordanian squad who plies his trade in Europe – with Montpellier SC in France – Al-Tamari’s direct play and dribbling speed make him a threat to any defence.

Yazan Al-Arab
Al-Arab been a colossal figure for Jordan in the heart of their defence, forming a solid centre-back partnership with Abdallah Nasib. Powerfully built and standing at 1.86 metres (six feet three inches), Al-Arab is a towering presence in both boxes.

Yazan Al-Naimat
Al-Naimat has a knack for finding space between defenders and more often than not, times his run to perfection. Having scored in the group match against South Korea, the 24-year-old went up another level when he scored in the last 16 and semifinals.

Qatar’s players to watch

Akram Afif
Afif has been in exceptional form, bagging five goals and three assists. His pace, skill and vision have created havoc for the opposition defenders throughout the tournament.

Hasan Al-Haydos
Al-Haydos has played the skipper’s role to perfection with his technical prowess, exceptional vision and strong leadership qualities. The 33-year-old can score too, as stunningly seen in the group stage match against China, with further goals against Palestine and Uzbekistan.

Almoez Ali
Unlike 2019, Ali has not been firing in the goals at this tournament but there is no disputing the vital role he plays in the squad. The forward’s work rate is second to none, as he is equally adept in leading attacks and falling back to defend.

Form guide

Jordan began their group stage by beating Malaysia 4-0 and then held South Korea to a 2-2 draw. They lost 1-0 to Bahrain but managed to qualify for the next round, where they knocked out Iraq 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 clash.

The quarterfinal saw Jordan beat Tajikistan 1-0 and they pulled off their biggest result in the semifinals when they beat three-time champions South Korea 2-0.

Qatar maintained a 100 percent winning record in the group stage, beating Lebanon, Tajikistan and China. They then edged out Palestine 2-1 in the last 16 but had to work hard in the quarterfinals for a 3-2 penalty shootout win against Uzbekistan.

In the semifinals against Iran, Qatar pulled off a mighty 3-2 win.

Jordan: W W W L D
Qatar: W W W W W

Goals galore

A whopping 128 goals have been scored across 50 matches at this year’s tournament. Of these, finalists Jordan have scored the joint-highest (12) along with Iran and Japan. Qatar are joint second on 11 with South Korea.

Solid defences

Jordan have kept a very solid defensive record at this year’s tournament, keeping four clean sheets in their six matches. Qatar, on the other hand, have kept three clean sheets – all of those coming during their group stage.

Prize money

Champions: $5 million
Runners-up: $3 million

Head-to-head record

Jordan and Qatar have played each other 23 times across competitive and friendly games. They last met in a friendly in 2018 when Jordan lost 2-0.

Matches: 23
Jordan won: 6
Qatar won: 12
Draws: 5

Team news

Qatar’s predicted starting XI: Yazeed Abu Laila, Abdallah Nasib, Yazan Al-Arab, Bara’ Marie, Ehsan Haddad, Nizar Al-Rashdan, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Mohammad Abu Hashish, Mousa Al-Tamari, Mahmoud Al-Mardi, Salem Yazan Al-Naimat.

Jordan’s predicted starting XI: Meshaal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Mohammed Waad, Lucas Mendes, Almoez Ali, Tarek Salman, Jassem Gaber, Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Ali Asad, Ahmed Fathi.



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Qatar edge Iran 3-2 in dramatic Asian Cup 2023 semifinal | AFC Asian Cup News

Al Thumama Stadium, Qatar – Qatar’s dream of winning a second successive Asian title, and doing it in front of their home crowd, has reached its final destination after the hosts fought their way past Asian giants Iran in the second semifinal of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Qatar came back from conceding a goal in the fourth minute to finish the game 3-2 on top in a closely-contested game of end-to-end action and high drama at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Wednesday.

It was the end of the road for Iran’s golden generation of footballers, who had brushed aside tournament favourites Japan in the quarterfinal and had overcome a spirited Syrian side in a penalty shootout in their first knockout game.

Their fans, thousands of whom had turned up to every Iran game and backed their team all the way through the action with relentless chanting and clapping, were left wondering how much longer they would have to wait for a fourth Asian title.

The worst nightmare

Qatar came into the match on the back of their first real test in the tournament, when they were taken all the way to a penalty shootout by Uzbekistan, and the prospect of facing the continent’s second-best side Iran was a cause of concern for their fans ahead of kickoff.

The hosts’ newly appointed coach Marquez Lopez had also termed the semifinal his team’s “toughest test yet” after going undefeated in the tournament so far.

Their worst nightmare turned into a reality when Iran’s out-of-form striker Sardar Azmoun struck the back of the net with an overhead kick in the first few minutes.

 

The roaring start drove Iran’s confidence and pushed Qatar to look for an equaliser. As a result, the game swung from one end of the pitch to the other, and Qatar finally levelled in the 17th minute with a scrappy finish from Jassem Gaber.

The fans of the al-Annabi – the Maroons – breathed a collective sigh of relief and finally found their voice.

The first half was edging towards its end with a 1-1 scoreline until Qatar’s favourite footballing son, Akram Afif, produced a moment of magic to put the home side in the lead and set off wild celebrations in the stands.

He shot from the edge of Iran’s box and saw the ball land in the far-right corner for one of the goals of the tournament.

Iran fans watched on in stunned silence for a few minutes before resuming their cheering duties.

When the game resumed, both teams surged forward in search of more goals, and Iran had their attempts rewarded with a penalty after a VAR check on an Iran corner. Team Melli’s captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh stepped up and coolly slotted home to bring his team to level.

The 2019 hero finds his feet again

Both teams drove the game from one end to the other and the crowd rode along on a wave of emotions.

Lopez, who was furious at his defenders for letting Iran run in with several chances, was given a yellow card. Meanwhile, Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei was much calmer as he watched Qatar launch attack after attack.

The fans were on their feet as the chances kept coming for both sides in the last 20 minutes.

In the end, it was Qatar’s hero from their 2019 title-winning run Almoez Ali who found the ball at his feet in front of an open goal and struck the decisive goal.

The local crowd swung their scarves and swayed to Qatar’s unofficial football anthem “Shoomilah Shoomilah” as they came within touching distance of the final.

Iran, being the tough opponents they are, did not relent but somehow could not find a way past the Qatari goal.

The referee added 13 minutes of stoppage time, much to the bemusement of Qatar, but Iran still failed to break even.

In the end, as the referee’s full-time whistle blew, the men in white collapsed on the pitch with broken hearts and tired bodies.

Those in maroon ran up to their fans to join in the celebrations.

Ghalenoei cut a distraught figure in the Iranian technical area.

Later, in his post-match press conference, he told reporters they should blame him alone for the heartbreaking loss as his players had “given their all”.

“Today was one of the worst days of my life,” he went on to add.

“But now, our work begins on building a team for the 2026 World Cup,” he said before trudging off.

Qatar’s hero and player of the match, Afif, admitted the game wasn’t an easy one to be part of but was thankful for the win. He said the best was “yet to come” from his team, who find themselves in an enviable position of having a chance to win an Asian Cup title at home.

Their fellow Arab nation and one of the success stories of this Asian Cup, Jordan, stand in their way.

Marquez, who has turned the Maroons’ fortunes around in the space of a few weeks, said his team will celebrate tonight but get back to work on Thursday in a bid to retain their title.

As for the al-Annabi’s fans, they beeped their cars out of the stadium and all the way up to Souq Waqif in the heart of the capital with “Shoomilah Shoomilah” on full blast.



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Iran beat Japan 2-1 for a place in AFC Asian Cup 2023 semifinal | AFC Asian Cup News

Education City Stadium, Qatar – Iran, backed by their thousands of vociferous supporters, have knocked out favourites Japan and earned a spot in the semifinals of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 with a famous 2-1 win.

In a match billed as an early final of the tournament – given both teams’ history in the competition, their FIFA rankings and strong squads – Iran turned the tables on the four-time champions on a cool Saturday afternoon at Education City Stadium in Qatar.

In a tournament that is now well-known for its late drama, Iran’s captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh delivered one of the most famous goals in his country’s Asian Cup history with a heart-in-mouths stoppage-time penalty that booked Team Melli a place in the second semifinal on Wednesday.

The opening minutes of the game saw Japan make several bursts towards Iran’s goal but failed to convert their chances, much to the delight of the large Iranian contingent positioned behind it.

Hidemasa Morita changed that with his goal in the 28th minute and the small groups of Japanese fans scattered around the stadium finally made their presence felt. However, it did little to deter Team Melli’s supporters, who took up their synchronised clapping and chanting by a few more notches.

Japan fans celebrate their team’s goal [Showkat Shafi/ Al Jazeera]

The team, one of the oldest squads at the tournament, pulled up their socks after half-time and began a back-and-forth contest with the Samurai Blue as they sought an equaliser.

Perhaps they were out to impress their coach, Amir Ghalenoei, who had slammed the team for missing several chances to score against Syria in their round-of-16 match on Thursday.

“I’m not really happy with the performance of a few players but I’m very happy with the discipline we showed,” Ghalenoei had said.

Iran’s first goal finally came 10 minutes into the second half as Mohammed Mohebi slotted Sardar Azmoun’s through pass into the Japanese goal and sent their fans into a frenzy. Their unwavering support had finally paid off.

Iran fans celebrate the equalising goal [Showkat Shafi/ Al Jazeera]

More than two-thirds of the spectators were either dressed in Iran’s colours or carrying Iranian flags. Some, like Wafai Salar, had travelled from across the Arabian Gulf to back their team.

He came to Doha 10 days ago from the western Lorestan province to back his team in the latter stages of the tournament.

“We must not doubt our team,” Salar told Al Jazeera before the match.

The belief was reiterated by 72-year-old super fan Mohamed Mirza, who said the team did not feel the absence of their star striker Mehdi Taremi, who missed out on account of his two yellow cards in the game against Syria.

“We have 24 Taremis in the squad,” he shouted after the match.

“I have been living in Qatar for decades and have seen three Asian Cups here, so now the team owe me a trophy,” Mirza said before resuming his chants for Iran.

Indeed, Ghalenoei’s team showed they were up for the challenge against heavy favourites Japan by defending their goal and following it up with runs into the Japanese half. One of these, late into stoppage time, resulted in Iran winning a penalty.

The late drama was too much for some fans, who turned their backs to the pitch before the penalty was taken by Jahanbakhsh. Once the ball was deposited in the top left corner, pandemonium broke out in the stands and on the pitch. Iran’s substitutes ran onto the pitch to celebrate and their fans jumped out of their seats.

Iran’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh celebrates after winning the match [Aijaz Rahi/AP]

Three minutes later, the referee’s full-time whistle confirmed Japan’s dismissal. The Japanese fans seated behind their goal held their heads in their hands and shed tears of agony and disbelief.

Across the aisle, nine-year-old Iran fan Ario was crying, as well. The dramatic last-minute penalty was too much to take for the young supporter.

“I was so nervous before the penalty was taken, I peeled the skin off my fingers,” he told Al Jazeera as tears fell down his cheek.

Ario, a Canadian Iranian citizen, has never been to the country of his parents’ birth but would one day like to play for Team Melli.

“I get so excited every time I see them play, so I want to be like them one day,” he said.

Iran football team fan Ario at Education City Stadium [Hafsa Adil/Al Jazeera]

Ghalenoei’s men will give Ario and the millions of Iran fans the world over another chance to ride the wave of emotions when they take on the winner of the Qatar vs Uzbekistan quarterfinal in four days’ time.

For old-timers like Mirza, it may even be a case of third-time lucky if the three-time champions walk away with the trophy on February 10.

[Al Jazeera]

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South Korea pull off heist to beat Australia 2-1 in Asian Cup 2023 | AFC Asian Cup News

The Taegeuk Warriors stage another late comeback to beat the Socceroos and keep their Asian Cup title hopes alive.

Al Wakrah, Qatar – South Korea have made it a habit of leaving it until the dying moments of stoppage time to make a comeback in their knockout games and progress to the next round at the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in Qatar.

They pulled off another heist to break Australian hearts and produce a stunning 2-1 comeback win in the quarterfinal at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday night.

It prompted Jurgen Klinsmann, the Koreans’ German coach, to joke that perhaps his team should start all matches with a 0-1 score.

“It’s not great to wait 120 minutes for a result, so maybe if we start a goal down we can get [a win] earlier,” Klinsmann told bemused reporters after the match.

It took South Korea 96 minutes to find a goal – scored by Hee-Chan Hwang from the penalty spot – that kept them alive in the tournament and another 15 to give their talismanic captain Heung-Min Son a chance to score a scintillating winner and stun Australia.

The Socceroos took the lead in the 42nd minute as Craig Goodwin latched onto a loose ball in front of the Korean goal to break the deadlock in a tight first half.

Once in the lead, the Australians put up a strong defensive display to keep the Taegeuk Warriors at bay deep into the second half.

As the night wore on, the temperature in Al Wakrah dropped to a chilly 14 degrees Celsius but the action on the field heated up as South Korea began attacking the Australian goal. It was similar to their late assault against Saudi Arabia that eventually produced an equaliser and gave them a win in a penalty shootout.

This time, the penalty came in the sixth minute of added time and brought them level. Once into extra time, the Koreans were controlling the game and Australia were barely able to keep up.

When South Korea won a free-kick on the edge of the Australian box in the 103rd minute, Son bent it into the corner to complete another stunning comeback.

The crowd, who had been chanting his name all night long, went into a wild celebration of relief, joy and disbelief.

Many of these fans arrived in Doha after a 10-hour overnight flight from Seoul and said it was too much to take for a second game in a row.

“They [the team] need to stop doing this to us now,” Kim Hyeseong, a South Korean fan, told Al Jazeera moments after the win was sealed.

“They pull off miracles because they never give up,” he said.

Klinsmann said he is aware of the expectations his team faces from the fans in the stadium and those back home.

“Sometimes the pressure blocks the players [mentally] in the beginning – but when we go down, we know we can only go forward from there,” the former World Cup winner said.

For fans like Leo Chan, it is more a case of having belief in the team. But he said they say make it hard for themselves and their supporters.

“I was about to leave the stadium moments before the penalty was awarded, but now I’m staying all the way until the final because these players are miracle-makers and will win it [the championship].”

(Al Jazeera)

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Preview: Asian Cup 2023 quarterfinals | Football News

The Asian Cup quarterfinals pit regional giants against each other but also see underdogs take on the holders.

The AFC Asian Cup has been a tournament is into the quarterfinal stage and the titans of the continent have made it relatively unscathed so far. They are all about to be pitted against each other though.

Here’s our run down of the tournament’s last-eight stage, which is set to take place across Friday and Saturday:

1. Tajikistan vs Jordan: Friday, February 2 at 11:30 GMT

Two underrated teams face off in the first quarterfinal. Jordan scrambled to third sport in their group after Bahrain beat them 1-0 in the final round of fixtures in the opening stage, after having overcome Malaysia in their first fixture with a resounding 4-0 win and drawing with South Korea in their second match. Jordan produced an incredible comeback, scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Iraq 3-2 in their round of 16 fixture.

Tajikistan beat Thailand 2-1 in their last-16 tie, having qualified from the group stage for the first time with a second-place finish ahead of China, with whom they drew their opening match, before being beaten by Qatar, but overcoming Lebanon to secure their progress.

It’s not going to be easy to pick a winner in this one.

2. Australia vs South Korea: Friday, February 2 at 15:30 GMT

One of the two stand-out ties of the quarterfinals pits one of the form teams against one of the favourites. Australia brushed aside their group with opening wins against India and Syria to ensure their progress before a draw with Uzbekistan in the last game. Their round-of-16 tie was another dominant display as they beat Indonesia 4-0.

South Korea were tightly tucked behind Japan as second-favourites for the competition but were made to work hard to reach this stage. A second-place finish in the group pitted them against Saudi Arabia in the tie of the last round and the Koreans were second best for the most part, requiring an injury-time header from Cho Gue-sung to take the game to extra time after Abdullah Radif gave the Saudis a deserved lead just after the break. It was a titanic tussle through to penalties which the Koreans can count themselves lucky to have come out on top of. How much the exploits will have taken out of their legs remains to be seen.

Will South Korea begin to peak in the tournament in this game?

3. Iran vs Japan: Saturday, February 2 at 11:30 GMT

The other meeting of Asian giants in the quarterfinals is a huge battle of east and west. Iran are three-time winners of the Asian Cup, but have been more renowned for their efforts at World Cups in recent decades. Japan are the record winners with five trophies to their name and are the favourites to extend that run.

A comfortable 3-1 win against Bahrain in the last 16 has set Japan up well for this match. However, they were made to sweat somewhat in the group by Iran’s neighbours Iraq, who downed the Japanese 2-1. An injury-time consolation goal was registered by Waturo Endo after Aymen Hussein scored a first-half brace. Iran’s travails have been in reverse to that of their opponents after topping a relatively straightforward group stage with a clean sweep while racking up seven goals. The Iranians were then made to work all the way to penalties by a spirited Syrian side. Iran will also be without their leading scorer, Mehdi Tarmei, who was sent off for a second yellow card in that game.

Will Team Melli have enough in them to see off the Blue Samurai?

4. Qatar vs Uzbekistan: Saturday, February 3 at 15:30 GMT

The hosts and defending champions are strong favourites to progress to the semifinals in this tie. After an underwhelming World Cup on home soil two years ago, Qatar have picked up where they left off in the 2019 Asian Cup final victory against Japan. Akram Afif, who scored the third goal from the spot in that match, has been irresistible at this tournament and seems to offer endless options as well as an inspirational ignition to his side’s endeavours.

Captain Hassan al-Haydos has also been at the core of everything Qatar have done and he and Afif are on their own personal journey to battle for the golden boat with either one or the other scoring in every game so far including both finding the net to see off Palestine in the last round.

Uzbekistan beat Thailand 2-1 in the last 16 to continue their own incredible story and are unbeaten at the competition so far having drawn their final group stage match with Australia to secure the second spot ahead of the impressive Syria and the sleeping giants, who were expected to awaken, India.

Will the underdogs dethrone the holders?



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Heartbreak for Syria as Iran win nail-biting Asian Cup clash on penalties | Football News

Iran scrape past underdogs Syria in a penalty shootout to set up a quarterfinal blockbuster against Japan.

Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Qatar – What do you get when you take two football-mad countries, pit them against each other in a compact stadium and put a championship knockout berth on the line?

Iran vs Syria at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday night – fighting for the last remaining quarterfinal spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Iran emerged the winner after a penalty shootout was needed to separate the teams following a 1-1 result at the end of extra time.

It was an end-to-end contest that captivated the spectators for more than two hours and the underdog’s fight that Syria showed.

Iran started the game as favourites on many counts.

Higher ranking: Iran are second in Asia and 21st in the world in FIFA’s men’s rankings, compared with Syria’s 91st position in the world and 13th in Asia.

Past glory: Iran have won the Asian Cup three times – although the last time they triumphed was 48 years ago – while Syria had never previously gone past the group stage.

Tournament run: Iran topped their group with three wins and a goal difference of five. Syria snuck into the knockouts as one of the four best third-place teams on the back of a 1-0 win over hapless India and a goalless draw with Uzbekistan.

And finally, reputation: Iran were one of the title contenders alongside the likes of Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia. Syria were rated as one of the teams that would do wonders by qualifying for the knockouts.

Syrian fans chant at Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar [Aijaz Rahi/AP Photo]

Their progress thrilled Syrian fans as it gave them a chance to see their team in action one more time, especially at a stadium that kept them very close to the action. Both sets of fans loved every minute of the action.

The intensity of the on-field action was closely matched by the singing and chanting off it.

The 10,000-capacity venue was evenly packed with supporters of both teams. They came prepared with drums, trumpets, flags of various sizes and powerful vocal cords. Once the action was under way, each wave of attack on the pitch was matched by a crescendo of noise off it.

An Iranian fan cheers on his team [Aijaz Rahi/AP Photo]

Iran took the lead when their star forward Mehdi Taremi converted a penalty in the 34th minute, but Syria kept mounting pressure on the Iranian goal.

Their efforts paid off when they were awarded a penalty in the second half and Omar Khribin stepped up to convert it and send Syria’s fans into dreamland.

And when Taremi was sent off in injury time, Syria felt the one-man advantage could help them sneak a winner.

But somehow Iran managed to fend off the Syrian attacks, which Team Melli’s coach Amir Ghalenoei credited to a “compact and disciplined performance” in his post-match comments.

Iran’s Ramin Rezaeian celebrates with teammates after the match [Molly Darlington/Reuters]

In the end, what separated them on the field after more than two hours of action was one saved penalty kick.

When Ehsan Hajsafi successfully converted Iran’s last penalty to make it 5-3 in the shootout, Syrian players dropped to the ground in disbelief. In the stands, their fans wore a look of shock. Children with their faces painted with the Syrian flags sobbed but some fans, like Adnan Yazbek, said they were immensely proud of the team.

“Our team defied expectations to come this far and give Iran such a fight, so I’m heartbroken but I have a smile on my face because they made me feel proud of being Syrian,” Yazbek told Al Jazeera.

Mohammed Abdullah, a Syrian fan, said the team has overcome many off-field challenges due to the ongoing war in the country and consequential complications.

“Football is loved by everyone in Syria and this team is loved by all Syrians around the world,” Abdullah said.

“Me and my little sister are heartbroken, but this is football and as long as we know our players gave everything, we are going to continue supporting them.”

The Syrian team and their travelling fans return home to shift their focus on the 2026 World Cup qualification.

Meanwhile, Iran face the Samurai Blue in an afternoon kickoff in the third quarterfinal on Saturday.

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South Korea’s stunning comeback breaks Saudi Arabian hearts | AFC Asian Cup News

Saudi Arabia dominated for much of the last 16 Asian Cup clash but it was South Korea who emerged victorious on penalties.

Education City Stadium, Qatar – It was a case of so near yet so far for thousands of Saudi Arabia fans, whose team faltered in the penalty shootout in their round-of-16 match against South Korea and were knocked out of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

South Korea booked a quarterfinal date with Australia as their dogged display saw them win 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday night.

Saudi Arabia dominated the game for much of normal time and enjoyed a 1-0 lead up until the dying moments of stoppage time but ultimately could not withstand the relentless South Korean attacks on their goal.

Cho Gue-Sung scored the equalising goal in the ninth minute of added time to the delight of the few hundred South Korean fans among the 42,000 spectators. He later slotted in his team’s third penalty to put them one kick away from a famous comeback win.

Hwang Hee-chan made no mistakes from the spot to spark wild celebrations in the Korean camp.

South Korea fans at the Education City Stadium [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

The atmosphere and support were always going to be partisan in favour of the Green Falcons, whose supporters crossed Qatar’s only land border to make their presence felt in the country and the stadium.

They sang and danced outside the venue before kickoff and occupied most of the seats inside it when the match was under way.

The first half ended goalless but Saudi Arabia showed they were going to take the game to South Korea.

There was hardly enough time for fans to settle back into their seats at the resumption of play when Abdullah Radif came off the bench to score for Saudi Arabia. If the Green Falcon’s army of fans were raucous before the goal, Radif brought the house down as he slotted past the South Korean goalkeeper.

Saudi Arabia fans raucously cheered on their team [Showkat Shafi/Al Jazeera]

Saudi Arabia maintained the tempo on and off the pitch for the next half hour but then began to run out of steam. South Korea’s substitutes took advantage and kept up the pressure on the Saudi Arabia goal.

The ball hardly left the Saudi Arabia half in the last 10 minutes but, backed by their fans’ noise and their goalkeeper’s heroics, the men in green somehow clung onto their slender lead well into stoppage time.

Every time a Korean player touched the ball, the boos were so loud they could probably be heard all the way back in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia fans, some of whom had already bought tickets for their team’s likely quarterfinal and semifinal, were not in the mood to return home yet.

But as soon as Cho’s strike hit the back of Saudi Arabia’s net, the supporters fell silent and sunk into their seats. It was as if they knew their best chance had fallen through their hands.

“Our team often dominates games but then let it all slip because they run out of steam towards the end,” Saudi Arabia fan Faisal Al Muatiri told Al Jazeera after the match.

“It is becoming an increasingly familiar sight for us and the new coach needs to do something about it,” he said referring to Roberto Mancini.

Hyun-Seok Hong runs with the ball [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Both teams created chances in extra time and Saudi Arabia came very close to sealing the win with a dramatic goal in front of their supporters in the second half of extra time but it was not to be.

South Korean fans grew in confidence once the match went to penalties.

“Our team has the experience and confidence of making strong comebacks,” South Korea fan Darren Lim said after the win.

She then paused to wave and say “goodnight” to the heartbroken Saudi Arabia supporters making their way out.

The Green Flacons will rue their inability to hold onto their lead as they fly back home.

And the Taegeuk Warriors live to fight another day, on Friday against the Socceroos.

Son Heung-min celebrates South Korea’s win [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

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