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By Kevin Hand
Published On 10 Feb 2024

This page is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates as Qatar beat Jordan to win the AFC Asian Cup 2023 on Saturday, February 10:

10 Feb 2024 - 18:48
 (18:48 GMT)

Goodbye for now

That’s it from our AFC Asian Cup 2023 live coverage.

The hosts defended their crown as a favourite fell by the wayside at every stage of the competition.

It was an edition of new stars and newcomers but ultimately there’s a new player in the game in Asian football as Qatar proved the 2019 victory was no fluke.

We hope you enjoyed all our live pages as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you from the Asian Cup.

The action is far from over for the weekend on Al Jazeera though, as we bring you the final of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup on Sunday morning followed by Manchester United vs Aston Villa and capped by the final of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 as hosts Ivory Coast face Nigeria.

We hope you join us again for those and all the rest of the live sport, we’ll still be bringing you here on the live pages.

For now though, from Hafsa Adil, Patrick Keddie, me Kevin Hand and the rest of the team that has brought you the Asian Cup, it’s goodbye and congratulations to Qatar.

10 Feb 2024 - 18:46
 (18:46 GMT)

Akif sidesteps questions on a European move

By Hafsa Adil

Lusail, Qatar

Qatar’s hero Akram Afif has been peppered with questions about any prospective move to European clubs.

He evades them by saying he’s enjoying the win at the moment and does not want to contemplate about his future at the moment.

But he does add that a move is not entirely in his hands.

“It has to come from a club and my wife has to make the decision with me,” he said.

“For now, all I know is: We are back-to-back champions.”

10 Feb 2024 - 18:45
 (18:45 GMT)

Qatar fans continue the party in Doha’s Souq Waqif

Qatar fans head to Doha’s Souq Waqif to celebrate their team winning the AFC Asian Cup [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Qatar fans took the party from Lusail Stadium to Doha’s famous Souq Waqif [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]
Thousands of Qatar fans celebrate their team’s victory at the souq [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

10 Feb 2024 - 18:43
 (18:43 GMT)

Qatar fans celebrate Asian Cup victory

10 Feb 2024 - 18:38
 (18:38 GMT)

Haddad praises fans and coach

By Hafsa Adil

Lusail, Qatar

Jordan captain Ehsan Haddad begins his news conference by apologising to the Jordanian people.

“The fans were a major factor in our success, but we failed them today despite giving it our all,” Haddad said.

He then went on to praise coach Ammouta for the turnaround he’s produced in bringing Jordan to the final.

“You have engraved your name in the hearts of all Jordanians,” an emotional Haddad told Ammouta.

“All of Jordan is behind you as you take us forward.”

10 Feb 2024 - 18:38
 (18:38 GMT)

The Asian Cup Winner Parade on Lusail Boulevard

The celebrations are only just beginning.

10 Feb 2024 - 18:36
 (18:36 GMT)

Only Uzbekistan came close to stopping Qatar

The victory on penalties against Uzbekistan in the quarterfinal was the closest any side came to stopping Qatar’s Asian Cup defence.

It was an emphatic display from start to finish and the last-eight clash was the only game that Qatar failed to win without the the assistance of penalties.

Iran were the mightiest test in the semifinal but even the three-time winners couldn’t stop Qatar’s march to their second crown.

10 Feb 2024 - 18:30
 (18:30 GMT)

Barsham who wouldn’t be beaten

10 Feb 2024 - 18:22
 (18:22 GMT)

‘They’ve gained the respect of everyone’

By Hafsa Adil

Lusail, Qatar

Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta is visibly disappointed and says team were not up to the mark from the beginning.

“We were not focused and didn’t look comfortable on the pitch from the first minute,” he said in his post-match press conference.

Despite the crushing loss, Ammouta said he’s very proud of his boys.

“They have gained the respect of everyone who saw them play and have developed into a better unit in the past month – and that’s important as well,” he said.

10 Feb 2024 - 18:18
 (18:18 GMT)

The Most Valuable Player prize goes to:

The winner of the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Most Valuable Player is:

10 Feb 2024 - 18:15
 (18:15 GMT)

The knockout stage map is complete

Qatar complete the picture, but what about the past winners and the likely hopefuls that fell by the wayside on the way?

The flags of Iran, Japan and South Korea stand out in particular on the map of the knock-out stages.

10 Feb 2024 - 18:07
 (18:07 GMT)

Another award for Qatar

Qatar were also handed the Fair Play Award for their discipline at the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

Captain Hassan Al-Haydos was first up on the podium to collect the award on behalf of the team.

Al-Haydos poses with the Fair Play Award [Giuseppe Cacace/AFP]
10 Feb 2024 - 18:02
 (18:02 GMT)

The award winners

Akram Afif was handed the golden boot award before the trophy presentation.

Meshaal Barsham was awarded the golden glove award.

10 Feb 2024 - 18:00
 (18:00 GMT)

Qatar celebrate with the trophy

Qatar’s Almahdi Ali Mukhtar lifts the trophy [Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters]
Captain Al-Haydos celebrates with his teammates [braheem al-Omari/Reuters]

10 Feb 2024 - 17:48
 (17:48 GMT)

Jordan’s players applaud their fans

By Hafsa Adil

Lusail, Qatar

Jordan’s players have gone off the pitch and into their dressing room, but not before applauding their supporters in all corners of the ground.

There’s plenty to look forward to for the young men who have made the nation of 11 million incredibly proud.

10 Feb 2024 - 17:45
 (17:45 GMT)

Al-Haydos lifts the trophy!

By Hafsa Adil

Lusail, Qatar

After warmly embracing all Qatar players and coach Lopez, Sheikh Tamim walks towards the trophy with captain Al-Haydos.

But wait, what trophy presentation in Lusail is complete without a black and gold bisht?

The emir helps his captain put on the much talked about cloak before handing him the glistening silver trophy that never left Qatar.

It stays in Doha for another four years, at least.

Qatar’s captain lifts the trophy aloft at Lusail Stadium [Molly Darlington/Reuters]
10 Feb 2024 - 17:37
 (17:37 GMT)

Jordan collect runners-up medals

By Hafsa Adil

Lusail, Qatar

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah comforts and commends his players for their historic run while handing out runners-up medals.

Ammouta receives a warm embrace from Qatar’s players, Emir Sheikh Tamim and finally Prince Hussein.

The coach will receive a hero’s welcome back when he leads the team back to Amman.

Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah awards silver medals to the Jordanian players [Giuseppe Cacace/AFP]
10 Feb 2024 - 17:36
 (17:36 GMT)

Afif receives the golden boot award

A hat-trick in the final sealed it.

He was comfortably the player of the tournament, too.

Afif scored eight goals during the tournament [Giuseppe Cacace/AFP]
10 Feb 2024 - 17:25
 (17:25 GMT)

Photos: Moments of pure joy for Qatar

Qatar’s celebrates after winning back-to-back Asian Cups [Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters]
Qatar celebrate beating Jordan 3-1 [Giuseppe Cacace/AFP]

10 Feb 2024 - 17:25
 (17:25 GMT)

The stage is set and the trophy emerges

The stage for the trophy ceremony has been quickly assembled and the trophy emerges from the tunnel ready to be presented to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar.

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