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DOHA, Qatar (AP) — After four weeks filled with drama and upset, the Asian Cup ended with host nation and defending champion Qatar celebrating its second consecutive title.
AP photographers captured the emotion and excitement on and off the field throughout the tournament.
A hat trick of penalties for the tournament’s star player and leading scorer Akram Afif secured a 3-1 win against Jordan and provided a glorious finale for Qatar on Saturday.
Jordan’s Mahmoud Almardi, left, does a bicycle kick as South Korea’s Park Yong-woo watches during the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between South Korea and Jordan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Home fans had hoped for such a perfect ending when turning up at the same venue for the opening ceremony a month earlier.
The scenes on Saturday night, with players joyously celebrating on the field with fans joining in, in the stands, would have seemed unlikely after Qatar, as host, exited its own World Cup after three straight defeats in the group stage in 2022.
Just over a year on and that pain was turned to ecstasy, with Afif’s eight goals, making him the stand-out player of a tournament that featured stars from Europe’s top leagues.
After fans exited Lusail Stadium – which had played host to Lionel Messi and Argentina’s crowning glory at the World Cup – a spectacular firework display continued over Doha.
Throughout the tournament, there was no shortage of explosive moments on the field, with dramatic late goals a consistent feature.
Saudi Arabia exited at the round of 16 after South Korea’s equalizer in the ninth minute of stoppage time saw the game go to extra time and a penalty shootout. Saudi Arabia’s Italian coach, Roberto Mancini, sparked controversy when walking away before the shootout was even completed to create one of the most memorable moments of the tournament.
South Korea coach Jurgen Klinsmann would later face scrutiny of his own for looking too happy as his team was beaten in the semifinals by underdog Jordan.
“I am certainly not walking around tonight and smiling all over the place,” he said under questioning.
South Korea’s Hwang Hee-chan, centre, and Jordan’s Ehsan Haddad, rear, vie for the ball during the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between South Korea and Jordan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Pre-tournament favorite Japan had turned up with high expectations, but suffered a surprise defeat to Iraq in the group stage and was eliminated by Iran in the quarterfinals. It will have to wait to for a record-extending fifth Asian Cup title.
Instead, Qatar became a multiple winner of the trophy and the fifth nation to successfully defend it.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min, left, scores his team’s second goal in a free kick during the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Australia and South Korea at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
South Korea’s Son Heung-min, right, celebrates after scoring as South Korea’s head coach Jurgen Klinsmann cheers him during the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Australia and South Korea at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Tajikistan’s Shukurov Alisher, top, and Jordan’s Mousa Altamari challenge for the ball during the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Tajikistan and Jordan, at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
South Korea’s Lee Kang-in, centre, reacts as Jordan players celebrates after winning the Asian Cup Semi-finals soccer match between Jordan and South Korea at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Iran’s Alireza Jahan Bakhsh, right, is challenged by Qatar’s Yusuf Abdurisag during the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Iran and Qatar at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Iran’s Alireza Jahan Bakhsh, centre, scores his side’s second goal from a penalty kick during the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Iran and Qatar at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Australia’s Harry Souttar, bottom, makes a save as Australia’s goalkeeper Mathew Ryan challenges during the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Australia and South Korea at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
South Korea’s Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Australia and South Korea at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Members of team Qatar throw goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham in air to celebrate their win in the Asian Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Qatar and Uzbekistan at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Jordan’s Salem Al Ajalin, right, and Qatar’s Yusuf Abdurisag vie for the ball during the Asian Cup final soccer match between Qatar and Jordan at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
South Korea’s Hwang Hee-chan, left, and Jordan’s Ehsan Haddad fight for the ball during the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between South Korea and Jordan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)
Jordan’s Yazan Alnaimat celebrates with his team players after winning the Asian Cup Semi-finals soccer match between Jordan and South Korea at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Jordan’s Yazan Alarab, left, and Jordan’s goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila celebrate after the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between South Korea and Jordan at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Jordan won 2-0. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Qatar’s Almoez Ali, right, celebrates with teammates after winning the match during the Asian Cup semifinal soccer match between Qatar and Iran at Al Thumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Most Valuable Player Qatar’s Akram Afif, left, and Best Goalkeeper Qatar’s Meshaal Barsham stand with their awards after their team won the Asian Cup final soccer match between Qatar and Jordan at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Qatar’s players throw Akram Afif in the air as they celebrate Afif’s three goals and their victory over Jordan in the Asian Cup final soccer match at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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