{"id":4255,"date":"2024-02-10T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-10T03:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?p=4255"},"modified":"2026-09-25T14:01:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T04:31:49","slug":"history-and-immortality-on-the-line-in-unlikely-asian-cup-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/history-and-immortality-on-the-line-in-unlikely-asian-cup-final\/","title":{"rendered":"History and immortality on the line in unlikely Asian Cup Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

History beckons and immortality awaits for whoever emerges victorious from one of the most unlikely AFC Asian Cup finals; Qatar facing off against Jordan at Lusail Stadium cannot have been on many observers\u2019 list of possible deciders.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And yet, here we are, with a defending champion that has looked anything but a member of the Asian elite over the last two years, overcoming all manner of issues to qualify for a second successive final, where they will meet a side no-one backed to make a run this deep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Jordanians have been the story of the Asian Cup, the rank outsiders who upset the odds to move to within one step of glory and the most unexpected title win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hussein Ammouta\u2019s team put their credentials on display early in the tournament with their 2-2 draw against Korea Republic in the second round of group matches. It was a result and performance that caught the attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robust, direct and with the exciting attacking talents of Yazan Al-Naimat and Moussa Al-Taamari, the Jordanians have been backed by an ever-growing fan base, increasingly ratcheting up the noise levels to spur their team to even greater heights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has not been without an element of good fortune, Ammouta\u2019s team prevailing over Iraq in the last 16 due to Aymen Hussein\u2019s foolish sending off for over-celebrating and his side\u2019s resulting collapse in injury time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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That the Jordanians have taken their opportunities, not only to overcome the Iraqis but to edge a narrow win over Tajikistan and then claim a 2-0 victory over a Korean side struggling with fatigue and long-standing defensive issues, says much about their determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now they stand 90 minutes away from a result as remarkable as any in Asian Cup history. Few achievements can compare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a war-ravaged Iraq won the title in 2007 it was a title rightly hailed around the world, but this was a nation that had been at the forefront of the Asian game in the past, qualifying for the 1986 World Cup and regularly a dominant force in Gulf football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qatar\u2019s victory in the United Arab Emirates in 2019 came against a backdrop of political tension and division with their neighbours, yet the team was benefitting from the long-term work being done in preparation for country\u2019s 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jordan, in contrast, have only twice previously advanced to the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup and this is the country\u2019s fifth finals appearance since the competition began in 1956.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was heartache in 2004 with Al-Nashama\u2019s <\/em>controversial penalty shoot-out elimination at the hands of eventual champions Japan, while seven years later it was Uzbekistan who sent Adnan Hamed\u2019s team home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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