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Performers during the opening ceremony in Lusail. EPA
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Qatar's Akram Afif scored twice in the opening match of the 2023 Asian Cup against Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Friday, January 12, 2024. AFP
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Qatar's Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his first goal against Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium. AFP
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Qatar's Akram Afif scores the opening goal of Asian Cup 2023. Reuters
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Almoez Ali after scoring Qatar's second goal against Lebanon in Lusail. AFP
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Almoez Ali after scoring Qatar's second goal. AFP
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Qatar's Almoez Ali scores the second goal against Lebanon. Reuters
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Opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail. EPA
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Performers during the opening ceremony in Lusail. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FBRWBJFZZ2TE6TOJ7PU4HAXCUQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=93e57c60a315253a656b074074d45b11debcf19ac8893a987cc5e5118dfa399b&width=400&height=225)
Qatar's Akram Afif scored twice in the opening match of the 2023 Asian Cup against Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on Friday, January 12, 2024. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5M25BUQAFDDC6ATWMDLPXSBPJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=ea512c6f51d6630774ffd2171b527aac4edba14e33fd2850530d0ed1a07d161d&width=400&height=225)
Qatar's Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his first goal against Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium. AFP
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Qatar's Akram Afif scores the opening goal of Asian Cup 2023. Reuters
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Almoez Ali after scoring Qatar's second goal against Lebanon in Lusail. AFP
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Almoez Ali after scoring Qatar's second goal. AFP
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Qatar's Almoez Ali scores the second goal against Lebanon. Reuters
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Opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Cup in Lusail. EPA
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Performers during the opening ceremony in Lusail. EPA
Qatar Asian Cup hopes resting firmly on shoulders of Akram Afif as they take on Iran
Playmaker has been one of the stars of the tournament as hosts set out to clinch place in final where Jordan await
![John McAuley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F42fdb821-a1ba-456f-980a-444e78c14d20.png?smart=true&auth=e06a33d0c3a9b91f69d2f6f0423c3e38ec6692b751de87539e969acaa5c3893f&width=70&height=70)
John McAuley
07 February, 2024
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