Asian Cup final 2019: Watch Qatar vs Japan goal as Almoez Ali bicycle kick opens scoring

Ali opened the scoring for Qatar against Japan with a sublime bicycle kick goal

Friday 01 February 2019 10:27 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Tournament top goalscorer Almoez Ali has scored a sensational bicycle kick to open the scoring in the Asian Cup final between Qatar and Japan.

Japan may be the heavy favourites to win the tournament, but they went 1-0 down in the showpiece final when Ali opened the scoring in outrageous fashion.

Fifteen yards out from goal, Ali controlled a high pass before juggling the ball in the air with his second touch.

He then hooked an incredible bicycle kick into the corner of the goal with his third touch to send Qatar into the lead.

US readers can watch the sensational goal below.

Ali was the subject of controversy ahead of the match, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) dismissing a protest about the eligibility of two Qatar players less than three hours before the Gulf state's national team play in their first Asian Cup final.

The protest relates to Sudan-born forward Ali, the tournament's top scorer, and defender Bassam Al Rawi, who was born in Iraq, and it was made by the United Arab Emirates' football association a day after Qatar beat the UAE 4-0 in a heated semi-final.

According to documents that have been published on websites in the UAE and elsewhere, the mothers of Ali and Al Rawi were not born in Qatar, as has been claimed by the Qatari federation, so neither player is eligible for selection.

But with the clock ticking down to Friday evening's final against four-time winners Japan in Abu Dhabi, the AFC issued a short statement to say the matter had been reviewed and closed.

"The Asian Football Confederation Disciplinary and Ethics Committee on Friday dismissed the protest lodged by the United Arab Emirates Football Association over the eligibility of two Qatar players," it said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in