Top goal-scorer Akram Afif shines in Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup

One hundred and thirty-two goals were made in 51 matches, including eight own goals, during the Qatar 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which ran from January 12 to February 10.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/9b7c1e2aa8ce4eb79d27b494dc9879fe/9b7c1e2aa8ce4eb79d27b494dc9879fe.jpeg'
Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his third goal on a penalty during the Asian Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, February 10, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/9b7c1e2aa8ce4eb79d27b494dc9879fe/9b7c1e2aa8ce4eb79d27b494dc9879fe.jpeg'
Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his third goal on a penalty during the Asian Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, February 10, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/9b7c1e2aa8ce4eb79d27b494dc9879fe/9b7c1e2aa8ce4eb79d27b494dc9879fe.jpeg'
Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his third goal on a penalty during the Asian Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, February 10, 2024. /CFP

With eight goals in seven matches, Akram Afif was the top goal-scorer in the tournament, especially when he converted three penalties in the final to secure Qatar’s 3-1 win over Jordan in defending the hosts’ tournament title.

Akram Afif’s goals in the Asian Cup

3 goals on penalties in the final between Qatar and Jordan on February 10, 2024

1 goal in the semifinal between Qatar and Iran on February 7, 2024

1 goal on a penalty in the round of 16 match between Qatar and Palestine on January 30, 2024

1 goal in the group match between Qatar and Tajikistan on January 17, 2024

2 goals in the group match between Qatar and Lebanon on January 13, 2024

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/37b0225147ca44e8a28d668df3bc26fe/37b0225147ca44e8a28d668df3bc26fe.jpeg'
Aymen Hussein of Iraq celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Vietnam during their Asian Cup group match in Doha, Qatar, January 24, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/37b0225147ca44e8a28d668df3bc26fe/37b0225147ca44e8a28d668df3bc26fe.jpeg'
Aymen Hussein of Iraq celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Vietnam during their Asian Cup group match in Doha, Qatar, January 24, 2024. /CFP
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/37b0225147ca44e8a28d668df3bc26fe/37b0225147ca44e8a28d668df3bc26fe.jpeg'
Aymen Hussein of Iraq celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Vietnam during their Asian Cup group match in Doha, Qatar, January 24, 2024. /CFP

The top 4 goal-scorers

1 Akram Afif of Qatar: 8 goals, including 4 on penalties

2 Aymen Hussein of Iraq: 6 goals, including 1 on penalty

3 Yazan Al-Naimat of Jordan: 4 goals

4 Ayase Ueda of Japan: 4 goals, including one penalty

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/33df1f90bd2142a59ad5c71c895ce054/33df1f90bd2142a59ad5c71c895ce054.jpeg' alt='Son Heung-min of South Korea leaps into the air after scoring a goal against Australia during their Asian Cup quarterfinal in Doha, Qatar, February 2, 2024. /CFP '

Players who scored 3 goals

South Korea: Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in

Qatar: Hassan Al-Haydos

Iran: Mehdi Taremi

Palestine: Oday Dabbagh

Jordan: Mehdi Taremi

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-02-12/Top-goal-scorer-Akram-Afif-shines-in-Qatar-2023-AFC-Asian-Cup-1r8kHi36QUw/img/a12c5e4e99424c60b3ed007dd57b0f9c/a12c5e4e99424c60b3ed007dd57b0f9c.jpeg' alt='Jordan's defender Yazan Al-Arab (#5 in white) celebrates after South Korea's midfielder Park Yong-woo's (#5 in red) own goal during their group match in Doha, Qatar, January 20, 2024. /CFP'

Own goals

The group match between Jordan and South Korean on January 20 was highlighted by two own goals, scored by Park Yong-woo of South Korea and Yazan Al-Arab of Jordan, respectively.

Indonesia conceded two own goals in the tournament.

Justin Hubner of Indonesia scored an own goal in the group match in which Japan defeated Indonesia 3-1 on January 24.

Elkan Baggott of Indonesia scored an own goal in the round of 16 match, during which Australia routed Indonesia 4-0 in the end.

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