Qatar Wins the Asian Cup

Qatar defeated Japan in the Asian Cup final to secure its win in the competition. (Wikimedia Commons)

In a major upset, Qatar defeated Japan 3-1 in the 2019 Asian Cup soccer final held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Goals from Almoez Ali, Abdelaziz Hatim, and Akram Hassan Afif helped Qatar’s team, the Maroons, to their first-ever Asian Cup victory, an achievement that bodes well for their hopes of further success in the 2022 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar. Until this latest triumph, Qatar was not known for being a strong footballing nation.

Qatar’s victory granted the country a valuable political triumph. Qatar faced Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the tournament, both of whom have been blockading Qatar since July 2017, according to BBC. Qatar defeated both teams with ease, securing a 4-0 win over the UAE and exciting citizens back home. Because of the blockade, Qatari nationals were unable to attend the game against the UAE, which was held in Abu Dhabi. The New York Times reported that during the game, Emirati fans threw items such as shoes and bottles at the Qatari team. In an interview with Al Jazeera, 17-year-old Qatari citizen Osama al-Sheikh stated, “This football sends a great message to all of the Arabs, especially to the UAE. God is with us.”

While the political tension surrounding the Asian Cup was intense, the players attempted to focus on the tournament, not the politics. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ali al-Salat, the Qatar Football Association media officer, stated, “They are athletes. They are going to play football. No need to mix politics with sports.”

While those involved in the competition may try to downplay the impact of their achievement, the implications of their victory are likely to be significantly positive. Their success could inspire a fresh wave of patriotism, as Fatima al-Bureiji, a Qatari citizen, said when she told Al Jazeera, “This is the happiest moment of our lives.” Furthermore, crowds of Qatari soccer fans greeted the athletes with fireworks and flowers upon their return.