AFC Asian Cup 2019 Final: Qatar 3-1 Japan: 3 takeaways

#3 Japan made a brief comeback in the second half, but Qatar were too good for them

Japan tried to come back into the match and even managed to reduce the deficit in the 69th minute through a strike by Takumi Minamino. However, Qatar’s defence held firm and did not allow any further slip-ups. Bassam was again superb in the defence for Qatar yesterday and thwarted a lot of Japanese attacks.

Full-backs Sakai and Nagatomo made some overlapping runs for the Japanese through the right and left flanks respectively, but their efforts were not good enough to breach the solid Qatari defence. Qatar got a corner in the 82nd minute and Japanese captain Yoshida handled the ball while trying to defend it. The referee consulted the VAR before awarding a penalty to Qatar. Afif did not make any mistake in converting from the spot and gave Qatar a 3-1 lead.

Qatar’s 3rd goal virtually ended any chances of a late Japanese revival and won them their first Asian Cup crown. They should remain a great force in Asian football in the coming years as well.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Aaditya Narayan