WITH AKRAM AFIF, ALMOEZ ALI MAKING RED-HOT HISTORY

After a record-breaking nine goals at the last AFC Asian Cup, it took Almoez Ali 56 minutes to open his account at the 2023 edition with Qatar's second in a 3-0 win over Lebanon on Friday. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Five years ago, when Qatar made history with their first AFC Asian Cup triumph, two players shone brighter than all others.

With a staggering nine-goal haul -- a new record tally in a single tournament -- Almoez Ali picked up both the Top Scorer and Most Valuable Player awards.

Yet, an equally-deserving MVP would have been Akram Afif, who was at his creative best and as influential as Almoez with an equalliy-remarkable tally of ten assists.

Both were just precocious 22-year-olds at the time.

From the hunters, Qatar will now be the hunted as they look to become the first team in two decades to successfully retain the trophy.

But if their opening display is anything to go by -- as they kicked off their Group A campaign on Friday evening with a 3-0 win over Lebanon -- they have every chance of going back-to-back as long as they can call upon Almoez and Afif, who are now 27 and should be close to the peak of their powers.

QATAR BEGINS DEFENCE ASIAN CUP WITH WIN OVER LEBANON

 

Akram Afif inspired hosts Qatar to victory in the opening match of the Asian Cup.

Asian Cup hosts Qatar kickstarted their title defence with a 3-0 win over Lebanon in the tournament opener on Friday with a brace from their prized playmaker Akram Afif and a goal from Almoez Ali.

Following a glitzy opening ceremony with Qatar's ruler Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani also in attendance at the Lusail Stadium, the two forwards stole the show to kick off the tournament with three points in the bag for the hosts.

Qatar scored early through the 2019 tournament's top scorer Ali and the crowd went ballistic when he found the net, but the euphoria died down quickly when everyone saw the assistant referee's flag up for offside.

The hosts dominated the opening stages but Lebanon slowly found their footing, with veteran skipper Hassan Maatouk firing a warning shot straight at Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.