Japan 1-3 Qatar
The moment Ravshan Irmatov drew the curtains to the Asian Cup will probably be a moment many Qatari football fans will be talking and cheering about until the next World Cup starts in their own backyard.
Players and coaches rushed to the field to celebrate with the eleven men that brought glory to a nation that is considered a minnow in world football. Japan’s Samurai Blue looked lost in the field. Felix Sanchez Bas embraced his coach and gestured towards the rabid Qatari crowd in celebration.
The scene painted a most emotional finale for a squad that defied expectations and gave football fans the best Asian Cup 2019 highlights time and time again.
Highlights of the game
Japan are more than aware of what Qatar can do: the Maroons were simply superb as they took down tournament hosts UAE in the most hostile of environments. If Hajime Moriyasu kept his wits about him, he should have known better than seriously consider the Japan vs Qatar predictions that pit the Samurai Blue as favourites.
Japan tried to get things started with an early goal. They battled for loose balls and attacking opportunities throughout the first minutes of the match. The Japanese XI fought to strike first as they knew that they will be in they don’t.
Unfortunately, that was exactly what happened in the 12th minute as Almoez Ali struck in a perfect first goal. Akram Afif launched a precise cross to the striker during a rather slow buildup for Qatar. The Al-Duhail striker played keep-ups within Japan’s 18-yard zone before launching a sublime bicycle kick to the bottom-right corner.
Moriyasu’s boys quickly amped up their attacks as they were more than eager to get going on the attack. They usually began their attacks from the right wing with Genki Haraguchi as the key offensive man. However, Felix Sanchez Bas has done well to organise his team in a way that would help them soak up pressure from Japan and launch blitzing counters that continuously caught the Japanese backline off-guard.
It seemed for a while that the game would continue this way, but Al-Annabi had other plans when they doubled their lead. Afif was once again the architect as he supplied a beautiful pass to Abdulaziz Hatem. He managed to keep Maya Yoshida away with a single dribble and fired a 20-yard curler to the top bins. There was nothing Shuichi Gonda could do about that goal once again. The half ended with Qatar holding a
Many of the SBOBET Asian Cup 2019 markets were flipped and ironed out due to this shocking development. Everyone at the Zayed Sports City Stadium knew that Qatar would be this good. However, no one thought that they would be this good. Japan could have used someone like Shinji Kagawa at this point, but the Samurai Blue must make do with what they have now.
The reset kicked off with Japan pushing forward as ferociously as they could and Qatar doing all they can to hold the Japanese off. There was no way the Maroons would allow this lead — and the Asian Cup trophy — to slip away from them.
They pushed and pushed, and Qatar’s resolute defence pushed back as they handled both live- and dead-ball situations with absolute confidence. A good chunk of the second half was spent on the Qatari half.
Japan’s unrelenting attacks eventually got them into the scoreboard in the 69th minute. It was a slow buildup that needed some precise passing as the Maroons were using the offside trap to great effect. Yuya Osako received a bullet of a pass to just within the 18-yard box and tapped it into open space for Takumi Minamino to run into. He beat Saad Al Sheeb with a brilliant chip that ballooned over the Qatari stopper.
The Samurai Blue got a second win after the goal and upped their attacks. They poured in more bodies into the Qatari half as they chased for a late equaliser to send the game to extra time.
However, Japan’s hopes for the Asian Cup were snuffed when Qatar secured the winner. After a VAR check, Irmatov judged that Yoshida committed a handball in the 82nd minute. The Southampton defender and the rest of the Japanese XI could only watch as Afif slotted the spot kick past the keeper for the winner.
Key statistics
Qatar won the match in the final score and the contents of the match. They allowed Japan to have the football for more than 61% of the match. They allowed 12 shot attempts and 13 corner kicks, but Sanchez’s superb defensive schemes ensured that the Japanese only had one shot on target.
Moreover, Minamino’s superb dink is the only goal Qatar conceded throughout the tournament. The Maroons managed an impressive feat of keeping clean sheets prior to the final. It is unfortunate that Qatar didn’t get to celebrate with a pristine defensive record, but that doesn’t matter at all at this point.
Qatar played so well that UAE found it unjust and tried to pull a cheeky disqualification claim on them.
What’s next?
Qatar’s magical run to Asian Cup glory is the perfect announcement to the world that their 2022 World Cup run should be something to watch out for. Sanchez’s cheerful Maroons should still be in high spirits by the time they play Paraguay, Colombia, and Argentina at the Copa America.
Meanwhile, Japan would have a lot of reflecting to do as they prepare for the Copa America as well. They will be facing Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, and Ecuador in Brazil. They will be facing Colombia as a tune-up game beforehand.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
