By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
January 13 – Qatar’s wonder kid Akram Afif has become the first player to make four assists in a single match in the history of AFC Asian Cup.
Afif, 22, an Aspire Academy graduate, helped his country’s national team in their highest-ever Asian Cup victory over DPR Korea in Group 5 at Khalifa bin Zaid stadium in Al-Ain. Qatar smashed DPR Korea 6-0, the highest score so far in the competition.
Akram, who plays for the local outfit Al-Sadd, did not score in the match but made his mark with the four assists, a milestone that beats the mark set by Australian legend Tim Cahil who came off the bench to make three assists in the Socceroos 6-0 victory against Thailand in 2007 Asian Cup.
Afif’s colleague AlMuez Al scored four goals in the match. The 22 year-old also made a history for his country becoming the first player to score five goals for Qatar in one tournament.
As well as his 4 goals against North Korea, he scored the second goal in the opening match against Lebanon to equal record of Qatar’s legendary striker Mansour Muftah who scored five goals in two AFC Asian Cup appearances, in 1980 and 1988.
Contact the writer of this story, Abdulaziz Abuhamar, at moc.l1734851423labto1734851423ofdlr1734851423owedi1734851423sni@o1734851423fni1734851423
