Jordan Vs Qatar Asian Cup Final Match Preview (1 Viewer)

[Paul Bunyan]

In their maiden appearance in an Asian Cup final, Jordan will face off against the host nation Qatar on Saturday, with Qatar aiming to become only the second team to win back-to-back titles this century.

Jordan pulled off a remarkable upset in the semi-finals by defeating South Korea 2-0, while Qatar secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Iran in a thrilling encounter. Despite the apparent mismatch on paper, Jordan executed a brilliant tactical plan devised by Hussein Ammouta, stifling South Korea's attacking threats and maintaining a clean sheet, a commendable feat considering the vast difference in FIFA rankings.

Following a dramatic comeback win against Iraq in the round of 16, Jordan has shown defensive solidity, keeping clean sheets in their last two matches. They have proven to be more effective playing transitional football rather than focusing on possession, a strategy that has served them well throughout the tournament.

Although Jordan has previously faltered in Asian tournament finals, they did secure a victory in the 1999 Arab Games final against Iraq. Their recent victory against Qatar in a friendly match marked a significant achievement, considering their previous struggles against them.

Meanwhile, Qatar's journey to the final has been characterized by a string of impressive performances, including a thrilling semi-final win against Iran. Despite falling behind early in the match, Qatar showcased resilience and determination to secure victory, setting the stage for an exciting final clash.

With an impressive record of seven consecutive wins across all competitions and a consistent scoring streak, Qatar enters the final as strong contenders. A win on Saturday would not only secure their status as defending champions but also make them only the fourth nation in tournament history to successfully retain the title, following in the footsteps of Japan in 2004.

INJURIES & SUSPENSION​

In their semi-final victory, Jordan made four changes to their lineup, with Bara' Marei, Nizar Al-Rashdan, and Mohammad Abu Hasheesh stepping in for Salem Al-Ajalin, Rajaei Ayed, and Ali Olwan.

Ihsan Haddad is set to earn his 75th cap for the national team on Saturday, while Mohammad Abu Zrayq aims for his 25th appearance.

Yazan Al-Naimat and Musa Al-Taamari scored their team-leading third goals of the tournament in Tuesday's match, with Yazid Abulaila securing his third clean sheet.

Salah Zakaria remains doubtful due to an undisclosed injury and is likely to be unavailable for Qatar in the final on Saturday.

In the match against Iran, Qatar introduced two new players to their starting lineup, with Yusuf Abdurisag and Homam Ahmed replacing Hassan Al-Haydos and Tarek Salman.

Jassem Gaber scored his first international goal, Almoez Ali added his second of the tournament, and Akram Afif scored his fifth, just one goal behind Aymen Hussein for the most in the competition.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS​

Jordan possible starting lineup:
Abulaila; Nasib, Al-Arab, Marei; Haddad, Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh, Abu Hasheesh; Al-Taamari, Olwan; Al-Naimat

Qatar possible starting lineup:
Barsham; Ro-Ro, Mendes, Mukhtar, Waad; Gaber, Fatehi, Al-Haydos, Ahmed; Ali, Afif

EXPERT PREDICTION​

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Jordan 0 -1 Qatar

The final of a major tournament is often full of surprises, and we anticipate a closely contested match, with both teams exercising caution and avoiding excessive risks.

Throughout the competition, both teams have demonstrated their ability to secure victories through different means. However, Qatar appears to have a slightly stronger roster with individuals who possess the ability to create game-changing moments. In matches like these, such moments of brilliance often prove to be the deciding factor.