2019 AFC Asian Cup final

{{Infobox football match

| title = 2019 AFC Asian Cup final

| image = Qatar - Japan, AFC Asian Cup 2019 56.jpg

| imagesize =

| caption = The Qatar team celebrating with the Asian Cup trophy after winning the final

| event = 2019 AFC Asian Cup

| team1 = Japan

| team1association = {{flagicon|JPN|size=30px}}

| team1score = 1

| team2 = Qatar

| team2association = {{flagicon|QAT|size=30px}}

| team2score = 3

| details =

| date = {{Start date|2019|2|1|df=y}}

| stadium = Zayed Sports City Stadium

| city = Abu Dhabi

| man_of_the_match1a = Akram Afif (Qatar)

| referee = Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

| attendance = 36,776

| weather = Clear
{{convert|24|°C|°F|abbr=on}}
53% humidity{{cite web |url=https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/ae/abu-dhabi/OMAD/date/2019-2-1 |title=Abu Dhabi Bateen Airport, AE History |publisher=Weather Underground |date=1 February 2019 |access-date=1 February 2019}}

| previous = 2015

| next = 2023

}}

The 2019 AFC Asian Cup final was a football match which determined the winner of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, the 17th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, a quadrennial tournament contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of the Asian Football Confederation. The match was held at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 1 February 2019 and was contested by Japan and Qatar.

Japan had won in each of its four previous AFC Asian Cup finals, while Qatar were playing in their first, which they managed to reach without conceding a goal in the prior six matches. Qatar won the final 3–1 for their first AFC Asian Cup title, scoring twice in the first half and earning a late penalty in the second half. For Japan, this was their first defeat in an Asian Cup final. Qatari fans were largely unable to attend the tournament due to the Qatar diplomatic crisis.

Venue

{{stack|File:Abu Dhabi Zayed Sports City Stadium 2.jpg in Abu Dhabi hosted the final]]}}

Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the largest stadium in the United Arab Emirates, hosted the Asian Cup final. The 43,000-seat stadium was built in 1980 and is primarily used by the Emirati national football team.{{cite news |last=Reedie |first=Euan |date=27 May 2015 |title=Zayed Sports City: In a league of its own |url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/uae-sport/zayed-sports-city-in-a-league-of-its-own-1.1522806 |work=Gulf News |access-date=28 December 2018}}{{cite news |date=17 December 2018 |title=Ultimate guide to the eight stadiums used at the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/asian-cup/ultimate-guide-to-the-eight-stadiums-used-at-the-2019-asian-cup-in-the-united-arab-emirates/news-story/d22f13ff7c8ad5d8e362d06ca74b3de6?nk=4571f879f99856fc09ea9029f90e8296-1545275496 |publisher=Fox Sports |access-date=28 December 2018}} Zayed Sports City was the host of the 1996 AFC Asian Cup final and 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship final, as well as several FIFA Club World Cup finals, most recently in 2018.{{cite news |last=McAuley |first=John |date=16 May 2018 |title=Al Ain ready to take on 'world class' teams after confirming place at Fifa Club World Cup |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/al-ain-ready-to-take-on-world-class-teams-after-confirming-place-at-fifa-club-world-cup-1.731083 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=28 December 2018}}{{cite news |last=Meenaghan |first=Gary |date=29 July 2015 |title=When Iniesta and football's future stars discovered UAE's passion: The 2003 Fifa World Youth Championships |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/when-iniesta-and-football-s-future-stars-discovered-uae-s-passion-the-2003-fifa-world-youth-championships-1.15532 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=10 June 2019}} The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority solicited independent bids in 2015 to build a 60,000-seat stadium to host the Asian Cup final,{{cite news |date=13 August 2015 |title=Competition launched for 60,000-seat stadium in Dubai to host 2019 Asian Cup football matches |url=https://www.thenational.ae/business/property/competition-launched-for-60-000-seat-stadium-in-dubai-to-host-2019-asian-cup-football-matches-1.29351?videoId=5770738884001 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |agency=Reuters |access-date=28 December 2018}} but Zayed Sports City Stadium was announced in 2017 as the venue for the opening match and final.{{cite press release |date=23 January 2017 |title=AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 stadiums and match dates confirmed |url=http://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/latest/news/afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-stadiums-and-match-dates-confirmed-34545 |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405090134/http://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-asian-cup/latest/news/afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-stadiums-and-match-dates-confirmed-34545 |archive-date=5 April 2018 |access-date=28 December 2018}}

Route to the final

style="width:100%; text-align:center"

style="vertical-align:top; background:#99CCFF"

! colspan="2" | Japan

! Round

! colspan="2" | Qatar

style="vertical-align:top; background:#C1E0FF"

| Opponents

| Result

| Group stage

| Opponents

| Result

align="left" | {{fb|TKM}}

| 3–2

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Match 1

| align="left" | {{fb|LIB}}

| 2–0

align="left" | {{fb|OMA}}

| 1–0

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Match 2

| align="left" | {{fb|PRK}}

| 6–0

align="left" | {{fb|UZB}}

| 2–1

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Match 3

| align="left" | {{fb|KSA}}

| 2–0

colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | Group F winners

{{center|{{2019 AFC Asian Cup group tables|Group F|only_pld_pts=yes|showteam=JPN}}}}

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Final standings

| colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | Group E winners

{{center|{{2019 AFC Asian Cup group tables|Group E|only_pld_pts=yes|showteam=QAT}}}}

style="vertical-align:top; background:#C1E0FF"

| Opponents

| Result

| Knockout stage

| Opponents

| Result

align="left" | {{fb|KSA}}

| 1–0

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Round of 16

| align="left" | {{fb|IRQ}}

| 1–0

align="left" | {{fb|VIE}}

| 1–0

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Quarter-finals

| align="left" | {{fb|KOR}}

| 1–0

align="left" | {{fb|IRN}}

| 3–0

| style="background:#C1E0FF" | Semi-finals

| align="left" | {{fb|UAE}}

| 4–0

=Japan=

File:IRN-JPN 20190128 02.jpg]]

Japan is the most successful nation at the Asian Cup, having won it a record four times—most recently in 2011.{{cite news |date=31 December 2018 |title=Factbox: Asian Cup |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-asiancup/factbox-asian-cup-idINKCN1OU0F5 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=29 January 2019}} They qualified for the 2019 tournament by topping Group E with an undefeated record of seven wins and one draw, scoring 27 goals and conceding none.{{cite news |date=29 March 2016 |title=2018 World Cup qualifying: Japan turn on style to thrash Syria to secure top spot in Group E |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/2018-world-cup-qualifying-japan-turn-on-style-to-thrash-syria-to-secure-top-spot-in-group-e-1.158315 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=29 January 2019}} After the team reached the round of 16 during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, head coach Akira Nishino was replaced by Hajime Moriyasu, who had assisted Nishino and served as coach of the under-23 team preparing for the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{cite news |date=26 July 2018 |title=Hajime Moriyasu appointed manager of Japan men's national team |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/07/26/soccer/hajime-moriyasu-appointed-manager-japan-mens-national-team/ |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |access-date=29 January 2019}} Moriyasu elected to exclude several veteran players in his Asian Cup squad, including midfielder Shinji Kagawa and striker Shinji Okazaki, with the goal of exposing younger, in-form players to international competition.{{cite news |date=13 December 2018 |title=Moriyasu relies on youth in Japan's Asian Cup squad |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/90minutes/ct-90mins-moriyasu-relies-on-youth-in-japans-asian-cup-squad-20181213-story.html |work=Chicago Tribune |agency=Associated Press |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{cite news |date=12 December 2018 |title=Japan shuns Shinji Kagawa for bid to regain Asian Cup, Shinji Okazaki also out as coach goes for youth |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-japan-shuns-kagawa-for-bid-to-regain-asian-cup-okazaki-also-out-as-coach |work=The Straits Times |access-date=29 January 2019}} Under Moriyasu's tenure, Japan was undefeated in five matches before the start of the Asian Cup.{{cite news |date=15 December 2018 |title=Samurai Blue optimistic for 2019 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/12/15/soccer/samurai-blue-optimistic-2019/ |work=The Japan Times |access-date=29 January 2019}}

In their opening match of the Asian Cup, Japan faced Turkmenistan and conceded a goal in the 26th minute, a long-range strike by Arslanmyrat Amanow, and entered halftime trailing 1–0. Japan took the lead in the second half with a brace from Yuya Osako, who scored in the 56th and 60th minutes, and added a third goal by Ritsu Dōan eleven minutes later. The lead was cut back to 3–2 by a penalty kick scored in the 78th minute by Ahmet Ataýew.{{cite news |date=9 January 2019 |title=Yuya Osako scores twice as Japan rallies past Turkmenistan in Asian Cup opener |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/09/soccer/yuya-osako-scores-twice-japan-rallies-past-turkmenistan-asian-cup-opener/ |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |access-date=29 January 2019}} Moriyasu acknowledged that the team struggled in the match against Turkmenistan and praised their performance before adding that they would need to improve in order to advance from the group stage.{{cite news |last=Radley |first=Paul |date=9 January 2019 |title=Hajime Moriyasu warns Japan they must raise their game at the Asian Cup after struggling to beat Turkmenistan |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/hajime-moriyasu-warns-japan-they-must-raise-their-game-at-the-asian-cup-after-struggling-to-beat-turkmenistan-1.811227 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=29 January 2019}} In their second match against Oman, Japan had several early chances that they failed to convert into goals before earning a penalty in the 28th minute for a tackle on Genki Haraguchi, who scored. The 1–0 win, which came with Oman being denied a penalty for an alleged handball in the first half, saw Japan qualify for the knockout round.{{cite news |last=Prashant |first=N. D. |date=13 January 2019 |title=Asian Cup: Japan pip Oman on penalty to qualify for last 16 |url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/asian-cup-japan-pip-oman-on-penalty-to-qualify-for-last-16-1.61409629 |work=Gulf News |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{cite news |last=Passela |first=Amith |date=13 January 2019 |title=Hajime Moriyasu expects Japan to improve after booking place in 2019 Asian Cup last-16 |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/hajime-moriyasu-expects-japan-to-improve-after-booking-place-in-2019-asian-cup-last-16-1.812804 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=29 January 2019}} Moriyasu fielded an entirely new starting lineup, save for forward Koya Kitagawa, for the final group stage match against Uzbekistan. Japan and clinched a first-place finish in Group F through a come-from-behind 2–1 victory over Uzbekistan. After conceding a goal in the 40th minute, Japan responded with a header scored by Yoshinori Muto in the 43rd minute and a long-distance strike by Tsukasa Shiotani in the 58th minute.{{cite news |date=18 January 2019 |title=Japan beats Uzbekistan, claims top spot in Group F at Asian Cup |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/18/soccer/japan-beat-uzbekistan-claims-top-spot-group-f-asian-cup/ |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |access-date=29 January 2019}}

The Samurai Blue faced Saudi Arabia in the round of 16 and played defensively, fielding a lineup similar to their first two group stage matches.{{cite news |date=22 January 2019 |title=Japan's defensive capabilities impress Moriyasu |url=http://www.the-afc.com/about-afc/memberassociations/japan-ma/japan-s-defensive-capabilities-impress-moriyasu |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=29 January 2019}} Japan advanced with a 1–0 victory over the Saudis on a 20th-minute header scored by Takehiro Tomiyasu and protected the lead against the majority of possession and shots held by the Saudis.{{cite news |date=21 January 2019 |title=Takehiro Tomiyasu's header propels Japan past Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/21/soccer/takehiro-tomiyasus-header-propels-japan-past-saudi-arabia/ |work=The Japan Times |agency=Kyodo News |access-date=29 January 2019 |archive-date=29 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181918/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/21/soccer/takehiro-tomiyasus-header-propels-japan-past-saudi-arabia/ |url-status=dead }} The quarter-finals marked the debut of the video assistant referee (VAR) system at the Asian Cup and was used in the match between Japan and Vietnam, calling back a goal in the 25th minute for a handball and awarding Japan a penalty kick in the 57th minute, which was scored by Ritsu Dōan to give the Samurai Blue a 1–0 win.{{cite news |last=McAuley |first=John |date=24 January 2019 |title=Japan reach Asian Cup semi-finals as VAR comes into play for first time in tournament |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/japan-reach-asian-cup-semi-finals-as-var-comes-into-play-for-first-time-in-tournament-1.817692 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=29 January 2019}} Moriyasu defended the team's results after receiving criticism over the team's style of play, which relied on one-goal margins in the group stage and knockout rounds to reach the semi-finals.{{cite news |last=Passela |first=Amith |date=27 January 2019 |title=Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu: results, not performances, are all that matter at the Asian Cup |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/japan-manager-hajime-moriyasu-results-not-performances-are-all-that-matter-at-the-asian-cup-1.818688 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{cite news |last=Mulvenney |first=Nick |date=25 January 2019 |title=No sign of inexperienced Japan throwing off the shackles |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-jpn/no-sign-of-inexperienced-japan-throwing-off-the-shackles-idUKKCN1PJ1F4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129235931/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-jpn/no-sign-of-inexperienced-japan-throwing-off-the-shackles-idUKKCN1PJ1F4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 January 2019 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=29 January 2019}} Playing in the semi-finals against the top-ranked Iranian team, who had yet to concede a goal, the two teams were kept to a scoreless draw in the first half. Japan made several halftime adjustments to its attack that produced a 3–0 victory and advancement to their fifth Asian Cup final. Yuya Osako netted a brace with a header in the 56th minute and a penalty kick in the 67th minute that was awarded by VAR for a handball; Genki Haraguchi then added a third goal in stoppage time to seal the team's win.{{cite news |last=Passela |first=Amith |date=28 January 2019 |title=Japan reach Asian Cup final as Yuya Osako double sinks Iran in Al Ain |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/japan-reach-asian-cup-final-as-yuya-osako-double-sinks-iran-in-al-ain-1.819237 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=29 January 2019}}{{cite news |date=28 January 2019 |title=Japan ease to Asian Cup final place with victory over favourites Iran |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=536011 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Reuters |access-date=29 January 2019}}

=Qatar=

File:KOR-QAT 20190125 Asian Cup2.jpg]]

Qatar has participated in nine previous editions of the Asian Cup, advancing twice from the group stage in 2000 and 2011 before being eliminated in the quarter-finals.{{cite news |date=28 January 2019 |title=Factbox: United Arab Emirates v Qatar - Asian Cup semi-final |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-qat-are-preview-factb/united-arab-emirates-v-qatar-asian-cup-semi-final-idUKKCN1PM0Y8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130162655/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-qat-are-preview-factb/united-arab-emirates-v-qatar-asian-cup-semi-final-idUKKCN1PM0Y8 |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2019 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite news |last=Rajan |first=Adwaldh |date=30 December 2018 |title=The AFC Asian Cup 2019 contenders: Qatar |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1007596/afc-asian-cup-2019-contenders-qatar-preview/ |publisher=Fox Sports Asia |access-date=30 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130220502/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1007596/afc-asian-cup-2019-contenders-qatar-preview/ |url-status=dead }} The country was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and earned a qualification berth, prompting the Qataris to begin preparing the national team for the world stage. Former Barcelona youth coach Félix Sánchez was named the manager of the U-23 and senior national teams in 2017, cultivating an attack-oriented style and utilizing young talents who had emerged since the World Cup announcement.{{cite news |last=Mehrish |first=Akshat |date=28 January 2019 |title=Not just pretty stadiums: Incredible Qatar ready to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1032161/not-just-pretty-stadiums-incredible-qatar-ready-to-host-the-2022-fifa-world-cup-afc-asian-cup/ |publisher=Fox Sports Asia |access-date=30 January 2019 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130163151/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1032161/not-just-pretty-stadiums-incredible-qatar-ready-to-host-the-2022-fifa-world-cup-afc-asian-cup/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last=Ganguly |first=Sudipto |date=29 December 2018 |title=Qatar seeks solid World Cup rehearsal in UAE |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-qat/soccer-qatar-seeks-solid-world-cup-rehearsal-in-uae-idUKKCN1OS06I |publisher=Reuters |access-date=30 January 2019}}

In the second round of the Asian Cup qualification tournament, Qatar placed first with a record of seven wins and one loss—including a 15–0 victory over Bhutan that broke their record for their largest margin of victory.{{cite news |date=30 March 2016 |title=China's shock win over Qatar to keep World Cup hopes alive has fans, media believing |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/china-s-shock-win-over-qatar-to-keep-world-cup-hopes-alive-has-fans-media-believing-1.162933 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite news |date=3 September 2015 |title=Bhutan thrashed 15-0 by Qatar in qualifier |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/bhutan-thrashed-15-0-qatar-qualifier |work=FourFourTwo |access-date=30 January 2019}} While their performance in the second round qualified them for the Asian Cup, Qatar failed to clinch a berth for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, placing last in its third-round group with seven losses in ten matches.{{cite news |last=Harding |first=David |date=6 September 2017 |title=World Cup failure puts Qatar back in spotlight |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-failure-puts-qatar-back-spotlight-181903150--sow.html |work=Yahoo! Sports |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=30 January 2019 |archive-date=18 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618203912/https://sports.yahoo.com/world-cup-failure-puts-qatar-back-spotlight-181903150--sow.html |url-status=dead }} Sánchez called up a young squad, including eleven members aged younger than 22, that was primarily pooled from the domestic league's Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail as well as members of the team who had won the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship under his tenure. In two warm-up friendlies, Qatar earned an upset 1–0 victory over Switzerland and drew 2–2 with Iceland.{{cite news |date=20 November 2018 |title=Courageous Qatar hold Iceland 2-2 in friendly |url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/20/11/2018/Courageous-Qatar-hold-Iceland-2-2-in-friendly |work=The Peninsula |access-date=30 January 2019}} The team was affected by the ongoing diplomatic dispute between Qatar and a coalition of Middle Eastern and Muslim nations led by Saudi Arabia and including hosts United Arab Emirates, causing them to take indirect flights and being denied access to federation officials and journalists.{{cite news |last=Aziz |first=Saba |date=7 January 2019 |title=Qatar at Asian Cup: 'No need to mix politics with football' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/qatar-asian-cup-mix-politics-football-190107084412575.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite news |date=6 January 2019 |title=Football: Qatar coach to 'isolate' team from Gulf politics at Asian Cup |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/football-qatar-coach-to-isolate-team-from-gulf-politics-at-asian-cup |work=The Straits Times |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=30 January 2019}}

Qatar were drawn into Group E and opened their Asian Cup campaign against Lebanon, winning 2–0 on second-half goals by center-back Bassam Al-Rawi and forward Almoez Ali.{{cite news |date=10 January 2019 |title=Qatar off to a flying start with 2-0 win against Lebanon |url=https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/10/01/2019/AFC-Asian-Cup-Qatar-off-to-a-flying-start-with-2-0-win-against-Lebanon |work=The Peninsula |access-date=30 January 2019}} It was the first time that Qatar had won an Asian Cup match hosted in another country.{{cite news |date=9 January 2019 |title=Japan, Qatar start Asian Cup runs with narrow wins |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/01/09/japan-starts-asian-cup-with-win-over-turkmenistan/38867273/ |work=USA Today |agency=Associated Press |access-date=30 January 2019}} In their second match, facing North Korea in front of an announced attendance of 452 spectators at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Qatar won 6–0 with four goals by Ali to reach the knockout round, which became Qatar's largest ever victory in their Asian Cup history.{{cite news |date=13 January 2019 |title=Almoez Ali scores four as Qatar thrash North Korea to reach 2019 Asian Cup last-16 |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/almoez-ali-scores-four-as-qatar-thrash-north-korea-to-reach-2019-asian-cup-last-16-1.812721 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |agency=Agence France-Presse |access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite news |last=Panja |first=Tariq |date=16 January 2019 |title=At the Asian Cup, Politics Looms Over Empty Seats |page=B11 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/sports/qatar-saudi-arabia-asian-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=30 January 2019}} The final group stage match against Saudi Arabia was nicknamed the "Blockade Derby", referencing the land, air, and sea blockade, and was won 2–0 by Qatar with two goals scored by Almoez Ali to top their group comfortably.{{cite news |last=Aziz |first=Saba |date=17 January 2019 |title=Qatar vs Saudi Arabia: Football, blockade and piracy at Asian Cup |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/qatar-saudi-arabia-football-blockade-piracy-asian-cup-190116145421321.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite news |last=Paris |first=Francesca |date=17 January 2019 |title=Politics Stay Off The Soccer Field As Qatar Plays Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/01/17/686372006/politics-stay-off-the-soccer-field-as-qatar-plays-saudi-arabia |publisher=NPR |access-date=30 January 2019}}

The team faced Iraq in the round of 16 and won 1–0, with the lone goal of the match coming from a free kick scored by Iraqi-born Bassam Al-Rawi in the 62nd minute.{{cite news |last=Passela |first=Amith |date=22 January 2019 |title=Iraq fall short in quest to reach Asian Cup quarter-finals |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/iraq-fall-short-in-quest-to-reach-asian-cup-quarter-finals-1.816731 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=30 January 2019}} Qatar then played against 2015 runners-up South Korea, which had managed to eliminate Germany in the 2018 FIFA World Cup earlier before, in the quarter-finals and created the biggest shock in the tournament, a 1–0 win on a goal from Abdulaziz Hatem in the 78th minute, setting up a semi-finals match against hosts United Arab Emirates.{{cite news |date=25 January 2019 |title=Qatar, UAE to play politically-charged Asian Cup semifinal |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/qatar-into-asian-cup-semis-after-beating-south-korea-1-0/2019/01/25/20c983fc-20b7-11e9-a759-2b8541bbbe20_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130162419/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/qatar-into-asian-cup-semis-after-beating-south-korea-1-0/2019/01/25/20c983fc-20b7-11e9-a759-2b8541bbbe20_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2019 |work=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |access-date=30 January 2019}} The semi-final, dubbed the second installment of the "Blockade Derby",{{cite news |last=Ronay |first=Barney |date=28 January 2019 |title=Qatar ready to make history in Asian Cup … but the world is not watching |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jan/28/qatar-asian-cup-history-2022-world-cup-gulf-uae |work=The Guardian |access-date=30 January 2019}} was played in front of 38,646 spectators at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where hostile Emirati supporters threw sandals and water bottles at Qatari players.{{cite news |last=Cornwell |first=Alexander |date=30 January 2019 |title=Gulf tensions boil over at Asian Cup as Qatar oust UAE |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/gulf-tensions-boil-over-at-asian-cup-as-qatar-oust-uae-20190130-p50ugb.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |agency=Reuters |access-date=30 January 2019}} Boualem Khoukhi scored the opening goal for Qatar in the 22nd minute and was followed by Almoez Ali, who scored his eighth goal of the tournament in the 37th minute and tied the record set by Ali Daei for Iran in 1996.{{cite news |date=29 January 2019 |title=With Shoes and Insults Flying, Qatar Beats U.A.E. and Advances to Asian Cup Final |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/sports/qatar-uae-boycott-asian-cup.html |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |access-date=30 January 2019}} A goal by Hassan Al-Haydos in the 80th minute and substitute Hamid Ismail in stoppage time gave Qatar a 4–0 win to help them reach their first Asian Cup final.{{cite news |date=29 January 2019 |title=Asian Cup: Qatar beat UAE 4-0 as hosts' fans throw shoes at players |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47049246 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=30 January 2019}} Qatar also became the second team to advance to the final without conceding a goal, following South Korea's run in 2015.{{cite news |last=Park |first=Yuna |date=14 June 2017 |title=South Korea sack coach Stielike after Qatar defeat |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-southkorea/soccer-south-korea-sack-coach-stielike-after-qatar-defeat-idUKKBN1960JH |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115201429/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-southkorea/soccer-south-korea-sack-coach-stielike-after-qatar-defeat-idUKKBN1960JH |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 November 2017 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=1 February 2019}}

Pre-match

=Officials=

File:Ravshan Irmatov.jpg was the head referee at the final.]]

Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov was selected to lead the officiating team for the final, which was announced by the AFC on 30 January 2019.{{cite news |date=31 January 2019 |title=Ravshan Irmatov to officiate showpiece final |url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/ravshan-irmatov-to-officiate-showpiece-final |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=31 January 2019}} He previously officiated at three FIFA World Cups, the 2012 Summer Olympics, FIFA Club World Cup, and the FIFA Confederations Cup.{{cite news |date=30 January 2019 |title=Ravshan Irmatov to officiate Asian Cup final |url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/432481/Ravshan-Irmatov-to-officiate-Asian-Cup-final |work=Tehran Times |access-date=31 January 2019}} The final is Irmatov's fifth match as referee during the tournament, having officiated two group stage matches and two knockout matches. His compatriots Abdukhamidullo Rasulov and Jakhongir Saidov were chosen as assistant referees, while Chinese referee Ma Ning was the fourth official. Italian Paolo Valeri was named the video assistant referee, presiding over the first use of the technology in the final of the Asian Cup. Muhammad Taqi of Singapore and Chris Beath of Australia were the assistant video assistant referees for the match.{{cite news |date=30 January 2019 |title=Factbox: Japan v Qatar - Asian Cup final |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-asiancup-final-preview/factbox-soccer-japan-v-qatar-asian-cup-final-idUKL3N1ZU4YS |publisher=Reuters |access-date=31 January 2019}}

=Qatari players' eligibility=

On 30 January 2019, soon after the hosts lost to Qatar in the semi-finals, the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) lodged a formal appeal to the AFC over the eligibility of Sudanese-born striker Almoez Ali and Iraqi-born defender Bassam Al-Rawi, claiming that they did not qualify to play for Qatar.{{cite news |date=31 January 2019 |title=UAE lodge formal protest with AFC over eligibility of two Qatar players at Asian Cup |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/uae-lodge-formal-protest-with-afc-over-eligibility-of-two-qatar-players-at-asian-cup-1.820102 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=31 January 2019}} The appeal was filed on residency grounds per Article 7 of the FIFA statutes, which states a player is eligible to play for a representative team if he has "lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant association".{{cite web |date=April 2015 |title=FIFA Statues, April 2015 edition |page=65 |url=https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/7997491946d85267/original/qcpshqziazmnmikh6tk5-pdf.pdf |publisher=FIFA |access-date=31 January 2019}}{{cite news |last=Panja |first=Tariq |date=31 January 2019 |title=U.A.E. Accuses Qatar of Fielding Ineligible Players at Asian Cup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/sports/soccer/qatar-uae-asian-cup.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=31 January 2019}} It was alleged by the UAEFA that Ali and Al-Rawi had not lived continuously in Qatar for at least five years over the age of 18, although the players claimed that their mothers were born in Qatar.{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Rob |date=31 January 2019 |title=UAE tries to thwart Qatar Asian Cup final debut with protest |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/asian-cup-organizers-review-uae-complaint-on-qatar-players/2019/01/31/eabe0f20-2530-11e9-b5b4-1d18dfb7b084_story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201003301/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/asian-cup-organizers-review-uae-complaint-on-qatar-players/2019/01/31/eabe0f20-2530-11e9-b5b4-1d18dfb7b084_story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 February 2019 |work=The Washington Post |access-date=31 January 2019}} On 1 February 2019, hours prior to the final, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee ruled in favour of Qatar national team and dismissed the protest lodged by the UAEFA.{{cite news |url=http://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/uae-fa-protest-dismissed |title=UAE FA protest dismissed |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=1 February 2019 |access-date=1 February 2019}}{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=UAE protest at eligibility of Qataris dismissed on day of final |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-final/uae-protest-at-eligibility-of-qataris-dismissed-on-day-of-final-idUKKCN1PQ4JC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202041954/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-soccer-asiancup-final/uae-protest-at-eligibility-of-qataris-dismissed-on-day-of-final-idUKKCN1PQ4JC |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2019 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=1 February 2019}}

Match

=Summary=

The match kicked off at 18:00 local time in Abu Dhabi at Zayed Sports City Stadium, in front of an announced attendance of 36,776 spectators, including several thousand Omanis.{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Qatar defeat Japan to secure first-ever Asian Cup crown |url=http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=536009 |publisher=ESPN |agency=Reuters |access-date=1 February 2019}}

Japan began the match with two set piece chances, but neither was able to provide a scoring chance.{{cite news |last=Krishnan |first=Joe |date=1 February 2019 |title=Asian Cup final 2019 LIVE: Japan vs Qatar commentary stream, TV channel, team news, line-ups, score prediction |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/japan-vs-qatar-live-stream-online-asian-cup-final-2019-commentary-tv-score-prediction-lineups-a4055306.html |work=Evening Standard |access-date=1 February 2019}} Qatar's Almoez Ali opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a bicycle kick from {{convert|15|yd}} after juggling a ball received from Akram Afif. With his ninth goal of the tournament, Ali took the record for most goals scored during an Asian Cup that was previously held by Iranian Ali Daei.{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Qatar stun Japan with 3-1 win to be crowned Asian Cup champions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/feb/01/qatar-stun-japan-with-3-1-win-to-be-crowned-asian-cup-champions |work=The Guardian |agency=Reuters |access-date=1 February 2019}} Abdulaziz Hatem scored Qatar's next goal in the 27th minute, shooting from {{convert|25|yd|ft}} past Japanese goalkeeper Shūichi Gonda towards the top corner.

Japan regained possession and found several scoring chances before and after halftime, including a missed header from Yoshinori Muto and several corner kicks, but were unable to produce a shot on goal. Qatar received an early chance to score their third goal in the 56th minute on a counterattack, but the shot by Hatem went over the crossbar.{{cite news |date=2 February 2019 |title=Impressive Qatar beat Japan to win Asian Cup |url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/impressive-qatar-beat-japan-to-win-asian-cup-518749 |publisher=FTBL |access-date=1 February 2019}} The lead was cut to 2–1 with a 69th-minute goal from close range by Takumi Minamino—the first to be conceded by Qatar during the tournament. Qatar were awarded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute by the video assistant referee for a handball by Japanese captain Maya Yoshida, who blocked a shot from a corner kick. The penalty was converted by Akram Afif to give Qatar a 3–1 lead that they kept until the end of the match.{{cite news |last=McAuley |first=John |date=1 February 2019 |title=Qatar win the Asian Cup with 3-1 victory over Japan |url=https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/qatar-win-the-asian-cup-with-3-1-victory-over-japan-1.820691 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=1 February 2019}}

=Details=

{{Football box

|date = {{Start date|2019|2|1|df=y}}

|time = 18:00 AST

|team1 = {{fb-rt|JPN}}

|score = {{score link|2019 AFC Asian Cup knockout stage#Final|1–3|2019 AFC Asian Cup Final}}

|team2 = {{fb|QAT}}

|goals1 =

Minamino {{goal|69}}

|goals2 =

Ali {{goal|12}}
Hatem {{goal|27}}
Ak. Afif {{goal|83|pen.}}

|stadium = Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

|attendance = 36,776{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/matches/2018/983260 |title=AFC Asian Cup, match report: Japan 1–3 Qatar |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=1 February 2019 |access-date=1 February 2019}}

|referee = Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

|report = https://stats.the-afc.com/match_report/13309

}}

width=92%

{{Football kit

|pattern_la = _jpn18h

|pattern_b = _jpn18H

|pattern_ra = _jpn18h

|pattern_sh = _jpn18h

|pattern_so = _jpn18h

|leftarm = 000080

|body = 000080

|rightarm = 000080

|shorts = 00094C

|socks = 000E75

|title = Japan

}}

|{{Football kit

|pattern_la = _qat19a

|pattern_b = _qat19a

|pattern_ra = _qat19a

|pattern_sh =

|pattern_so = _qat19a

|leftarm = FFFFFF

|body = FFFFFF

|rightarm = FFFFFF

|shorts = FFFFFF

|socks = FFFFFF

|title = Qatar

}}

width=25\|	width=25\|
width="100%" \|valign="top" width="40%"\| {\| style="font-size:90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
GK	12	Shūichi Gonda
RB	19	Hiroki Sakai	{{yel\|86}}
CB	16	Takehiro Tomiyasu
CB	22	Maya Yoshida (c)	{{yel\|82}}
LB	5	Yuto Nagatomo
CM	7	Gaku Shibasaki	{{yel\|20}}
CM	18	Tsukasa Shiotani		{{suboff\|84}}
RW	21	Ritsu Dōan
AM	9	Takumi Minamino		{{suboff\|89}}
LW	8	Genki Haraguchi		{{suboff\|62}}
CF	15	Yuya Osako
colspan=3\|Substitutions:
FW	13	Yoshinori Muto		{{subon\|62}}
FW	14	Junya Itō		{{subon\|84}}
FW	10	Takashi Inui		{{subon\|89}}
colspan=3\|Manager:
colspan=3\|Hajime Moriyasu

|valign="top"|300px

|valign="top" width="50%"|

width=25\|	width=25\|
style="font-size:90%; margin:auto" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
GK	1	Saad Al-Sheeb
CB	15	Bassam Al-Rawi
CB	16	Boualem Khoukhi		{{suboff\|61}}
CB	4	Tarek Salman
RM	2	Pedro Miguel	{{yel\|90+3}}
CM	23	Assim Madibo
CM	6	Abdulaziz Hatem
LM	3	Abdelkarim Hassan
RF	10	Hassan Al-Haydos (c)		{{suboff\|74}}
CF	19	Almoez Ali		{{suboff\|90+6}}
LF	11	Akram Afif	{{yel\|84}}
colspan=3\|Substitutions:
MF	14	Salem Al-Hajri		{{subon\|61}}
MF	12	Karim Boudiaf		{{subon\|74}}
FW	7	Ahmed Alaaeldin		{{subon\|90+6}}
colspan=3\|Manager:
colspan=3\|{{flagicon\|ESP}} Félix Sánchez

style="width:100%; font-size:90%;"

Man of the Match:

Akram Afif (Qatar){{cite news |url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/qatar-clinch-historic-title |title=Qatar clinch historic title |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |date=1 February 2019 |access-date=1 February 2019}}

Assistant referees:{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc/documents/PdfFiles/afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-match-officials-for-february-1 |title=Match Officials for February 1 |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=30 January 2019}}

Abdukhamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan)

Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)

Fourth official:

Ma Ning (China PR)

Reserve assistant referee:

Huo Weiming (China PR)

Video assistant referee:

Paolo Valeri (Italy)

Assistant video assistant referees:

Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

Chris Beath (Australia)

|style="width:60%; vertical-align:top;"|

Match rules{{cite web |url=http://www.the-afc.com/afc/documents/PdfFiles/afc-asian-cup-uae-2019-competition-regulations |title=AFC Asian Cup 2019 Competition Regulations |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |format=PDF |access-date=4 May 2018}}

90 minutes.
30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.

Post-match

File:Qatar v Japan – AFC Asian Cup 2019 final 32.jpg won the top scorer award as well as the MVP award as the best player of the tournament.]]

With their victory over Japan, Qatar had earned its first Asian Cup title and became the ninth country to win the tournament. They had never previously advanced past the quarter-finals.{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Qatar win maiden continental title |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/qatar-win-maiden-continental-title |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |access-date=1 February 2019}} The match was Japan's first loss in the tournament after a perfect record of six wins as well as their first loss in an Asian Cup final, having won the previous four final matches. Qatar finished the tournament with a perfect record, winning all seven matches en route to the title.{{cite news |date=29 January 2019 |title=Qatar, Japan advance in Asian Cup with perfect record |url=https://www.apnews.com/8345901f294240b3b26859dc00c08792 |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=1 February 2019}} The match also marked the debut of a new match ball and trophy for the Asian Cup, as well as the first use of a video assistant referee during the tournament final.{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=More history to be made in final |url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/more-history-to-be-made-in-final |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=1 February 2019}}

Almoez Ali, who was named the AFC Asian Cup MVP as the best player of the tournament, won the top scorer award after scoring nine of Qatar's 19 goals in the tournament, surpassing the Asian Cup record of eight goals set by Ali Daei of Iran in 1996.{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Record-breaker Almoez Ali named MVP |url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/asian-cup-qatar-almoez-ali |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=1 February 2019}} Goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb kept six successive clean sheets, winning him the award for best goalkeeper of the tournament, and only conceded one goal during the entire tournament, to Takumi Minamino in the final.{{cite news |date=1 February 2019 |title=Qatar's Saad Al Sheeb crowned Best Goalkeeper |url=http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/news/qatar-s-saad-al-sheeb-crowned-best-goalkeeper |website=The-AFC.com |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=1 February 2019}} Qatar's Akram Afif was selected as the final's man of the match, with one penalty goal and two assists in the match. Overall, he finished the tournament with ten assists, the most of any player.{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Sarthak |date=1 February 2019 |title=AFC Asian Cup 2019: Qatar's Akram Afif notches up record breaking 10th assist vs Japan |url=https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1035063/afc-asian-cup-2019-qatar-akram-afif-notches-up-record-breaking-10th-assist-vs-japan/ |publisher=Fox Sports Asia |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=2 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202120215/https://www.foxsportsasia.com/football/asian-football/afc-asian-cup/1035063/afc-asian-cup-2019-qatar-akram-afif-notches-up-record-breaking-10th-assist-vs-japan/ |url-status=dead }} Runners-up Japan won the fair play award as the team with the tournament's best disciplinary record. According to Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, Emirati newspapers emphasized that Japan lost the final, reflecting the ongoing diplomatic rift between Qatar and the UAE.{{cite news |title=Media in blockading countries struggle to report on Qatar victory |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/media-blockading-countries-struggle-report-qatar-victory-190202092407249.html |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=Al Jazeera |date=2 February 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Prashant |first1=N. D. |title=Japan come up short in Asian Cup final |url=https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/japan-come-up-short-in-asian-cup-final-1.61817049 |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=Gulf News |date=1 February 2019}}

Qatar and Japan were both invited to also compete in the 2019 Copa América prior to the tournament.{{cite news |date=30 January 2019 |title=Qatar routs rival UAE to set up match against Japan in Asian Cup final |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/30/soccer/qatar-routs-rival-uae-set-match-japan-asian-cup-final/ |work=The Japan Times |access-date=1 February 2019 |archive-date=31 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131114349/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/01/30/soccer/qatar-routs-rival-uae-set-match-japan-asian-cup-final/ |url-status=dead }} Qatar repeated as Asian Cup champions in the 2023 edition, becoming the first team to win consecutive tournaments since Japan in 2000 and 2004.{{cite news |last1=Rampling |first1=Ali |last2=Millar |first2=Colin |date=10 February 2024 |title=Qatar retain Asian Cup title with final victory over Jordan |url=https://theathletic.com/5265171/2024/02/10/qatar-asian-cup-final-jordan/ |work=The Athletic |url-access=subscription |accessdate=11 February 2024}}