Luxembourg – Qatar’s star player, Akram Afif, did not only make history on the field by leading his team to a 3-1 victory over Jordan and securing the Asian Cup title for the second consecutive time. He continued to shine off the field as well, celebrating his hat-trick, consoling the Jordanian players, and sending multiple messages to his wife, his club, and the Qatari fans.
Afif’s stellar performance at the Asian Cup final, scoring all three of Qatar’s goals from penalty kicks, was matched by his sportsmanship as he went to the Jordanian players after the game to show his support.
His standout performance and leadership in securing Qatar’s second consecutive Asian title were not the only things that caught the attention of fans and media. Afif became the talk of the town for his penalty kick prowess and his mysterious celebration after each goal, where he swiftly revealed a card with his picture and the letter “S” written on the other side in English.
In regards to his celebration, Afif explained that it was a dedication to his wife, with the letter “S” symbolizing the first letter of her name. He expressed gratitude towards his wife who, being Kuwaiti, always supports and stands by him, even attending his games and bringing him luck, which is why he wanted her to share in his happiness.
Afif emphasized that his success in the Jordan match, where he scored a hat-trick in the final (a first in the tournament’s history) and received both the tournament’s top scorer and best player awards, was a result of his team’s collective performance as no player can win alone.
Responding to a question from Al Jazeera after the match about the penalty kick scenario where he let Hassan Al Haydos take the first kick and then handed it over to Almoez Ali for the subsequent two, Afif stated that it was a matter of support and confidence from his teammates. He appreciates their backing and is grateful for it, striving to shoulder the responsibility and expressing gratitude for succeeding three times.
Before moving to Qatari club Al-Sadd in 2018, Afif had a professional stint in Europe with Spanish clubs Villarreal and Sporting Gijón, as well as Belgian side Eupen. Afif views the prospect of playing professionally in Europe as every player’s dream but for him, it is about participation and personal development, preferring to enhance his skills with Al-Sadd and serve his national team rather than sitting on the bench in Europe.
Just as Afif excelled on the field, he also set an example in sportsmanship by embracing and accepting an apology from Jordan’s player Ihsan Haddad after a rough play. He then went on to console Jordan’s captain, Salem Al-Ajalin, and the rest of the team after the game.
Afif believes that Qatar’s Asian Cup victory was not achieved overnight, highlighting the team’s month-long struggle, facing tough matches and overcoming strong opponents to rightfully earn the title. He credits the Qatari fans who supported the team throughout their seven matches, playing a significant role in this achievement and deserving the joy of the Asian title, which will remain in Qatar for another four years.
In conclusion, Afif’s story is not just about football success but also about sportsmanship, dedication, and gratitude towards those who support and believe in him. His journey is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and striving for excellence both on and off the pitch.
