Qatar conquered the continent after beating Japan 3-1 in an exciting Asian Cup final played at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Qatar were crowned in the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, AFC chief Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani and QFA Vice-President Saud Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi. 

Almoez Ali (12th minute), Abdelaziz Hatem (27th) and Akram Afif (83rd-minute penalty) scored for Qatar, while Takumi Minamino pulled one back for Japan in the 69th minute.

Almoez and Abdelaziz found the net brilliantly in an inspirational first half for Qatar. Despite a spirited second-half display from Japan, Akram secured Qatar a historic maiden continental crown in spectacular fashion.

In the process, Felix Sanchez’s talented wards recorded their seventh successive victory, while Ali’s ninth strike of the competition saw him break Iran’s Ali Daei’s record for the most goals by a player in a single edition of Asia’s premier event.

It also ended Japan’s hopes of claiming what would have been a record-extending fifth title.

Qatar took the lead through a moment of sheer brilliance from Ali. The young striker received the ball from Akram before juggling the ball twice and sending a spectacular overhead kick beyond the reach of Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda to etch himself into the record books.

After their early setback, Japan looked for a quick response, but continually failed to find a way through a resolute Qatari defence that had not conceded a single goal en route to the title showdown.

With their frontline failing to shine, worse was to come for Japan on 27 minutes when yet another Akram assist, his 10th of the competition, found Abdelaziz, who curled a delightful effort into the bottom corner to double Qatar’s advantage.

Qatar almost went three up as captain Hassan Al Haydous hit the outside of a post with an angled shot following Pedro’s deflected cross.

To their credit, Japan refused to buckle and they came close to reducing the deficit on the stroke of half-time, Osako narrowly failing to apply a finishing touch to a Yuto Nagatomo cross when well-placed.

In need of a response, Japan once again started brightly, with Maya Yoshida heading over from a corner inside the first five minutes of the second period.

Japan’s persistence duly paid off as Minamino reduced the deficit courtesy of a wonderful finish over Qatar custodian Saad Al Dossari after being set up by Osako.

It mattered little, however, as referee Ravshan Irmatov then pointed to the spot following Yoshida’s handball and a subsequent VAR review. Akram converted the resultant penalty.