2019 Asian Cup Final live scores, blog: Japan vs Qatar

Match result:

Qatar have made history and won the Asian Cup for the first time, upsetting Japan 3-1 in the final in Abu Dhabi.

Japan were heavy favourites, five-time Asian champions and had never lost an Asian Cup final.

But the Qataris stunned them in impressive fashion, taking a 2-0 first-half lead and then riding out the second half to be crowned confederation kings.

In the 12th minute Almoez Ali, the tournament’s top-scorer, shocked the Samurai Blue with a brilliant solo goal.

With his back to the goal, Ali flipped the ball out and launched a fantastic bicycle kick to score.

It was a strike reminiscent of Thierry Henry in his pomp.

The goal fired the Maroons up and, after several dangerous opportunities, 13 minutes later they made it 2-0.

Abdulaziz Hatem fired a shot in from distance and Shuichi Gonda could not keep it out.

Japan were reeling and had no answers in the first half. After the break they lifted and increased their intensity.

Samurai started to build pressure and create chance after chance. Finally striker Takumi Minamino took one in the 69th minute, chipping the ball over Saad Al Sheeb in goal.

This spurred them on as they looked for an equalizer. But controversy struck in the 79th minute when the VAR intervened.

The ball struck Maya Yoshida’s hand accidentally in the box after a corner. Yoshida didn’t play at it, but after reviewing the footage the referee decided to award a penalty.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for Japan and Akram Afif duly stepped up to convert.

The 2011 Asian Cup champions were finally sunk and the celebrations in Doha began in earnest.

Final score
Japan 1
Qatar 3

Match preview:

Qatar is out to win it’s first ever Asian crown against regional powerhouses Japan in the Asian Cup final. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 1am AEDT.

Japan and Qatar are the only two nations left standing after a month of football in the UAE.

The fact that the Samurai Blue have reached the final is not a surprise to anyone. Japan have won the tournament four times, more than any other country, their last title coming in 2011.

They booked their place in the decider after topping Group F and going unbeaten, then seeing off Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the round of 16 and then Vietnam 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

But their best performance was saved for the semi-final, when they did the unthinkable and smashed favourites Iran 3-0.

Forward Yuya Osako, who plays his club football in Germany for Werder Bremen, has been the star of this Asian Cup with four goals.

He has been ably assisted by the likes of Ritsu Doan, who has grabbed two goals, and fellow Bundesliga-based attacker Genki Haraguchi, who has also scored two.

Despite leaving some of their big-names at home, like Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki and Keisuke Honda, Japan still boast a squad full of talent. They remain the hot favourites in the final and rightly so.

While Japan are always contenders, Qatar have never won the Asian Cup before. In fact, they have only ever reached a tournament semi-final once in the past.

They have stayed alive after topping Group E and dishing out comprehensive victories over Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and North Korea.

This hot streak has continued as they first beat Iraq 1-0, then upset South Korea 1-0 before spanking hosts UAE 4-0 in the semi-final.

Powered by the eight goals of Sudan-born striker Almoez Ali, Qatar have been in impressive form in this competition.

So far they have scored 16 goals in six matches and not conceded a single goal, an outstanding feat.

Al-Annabi are coached by Spaniard Felix Sanchez Bas. After spending a decade with Barcelona’s academy, Bas headed to the Middle Eastern country to join Aspire Academy.

For the past 13 years he has overseen the development of young players in Qatar, and in 2017 took charge of the national team.

Qatar’s Asian Cup campaign has not been without controversy – the UAE has lodged a formal complaint accusing them of fielding two ineligible players.

Their semi-final win over the hosts was also marred by Emirati fans throwing shoes at the Qatari players during the match.

Prediction
Qatar have had a fantastic tournament, reaching the final with a young and inexperienced squad.

But Japan are the favourites with good reason – they have quality to burn, huge experience, great depth and players from the Premier League, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and La Liga to call on.

You can’t go past them.

Japan to win 1-0.

Join The Roar for a live blog of the match from 1am AEDT.

Where: Zayed Sports City Stadium
When: 1am AEDT
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Japan $1.15, Draw $2, Qatar $3