Doha, January 16 (QNA) - The stellar duo Akram Afif and Almoez Ali are incredibly forming a great attacking force with the Qatari team during the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, who have demonstrated a superb level in the first match they played against the Lebanese team in the opening of the current championship hosted by Qatar.

The duo aspire to spearhead the Qatari team to achieve a new milestone like the one made in the previous edition when the Qatari team crowned with the title of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 for the first time in history. The team are determined to maintain the title during 2023 edition, especially that it is held on the Qatari soil among Qatari fans.

The duo Akram Afif and Almoez Ali showcased an amazing level during the previous edition, when Almoez was crowned as the scorer of the championship with 9 points, who obviously broke the record in one edition of the continental championship and named the best footballer, with Akram Afif contributing to making ten decisive passes, the highest percentage since the launch of the tournament in the 1950s, and named the best footballer in Asia by the end of that year.

The stellar duo have strongly initiated the current edition and contributed to Qatar's defeating Lebanon 3-0, when Afif scored the two goals and named the best player in that match, with Almoez scoring one goal and succeeding in diligently upgrading his points to ten goals in the AFC Asian Cup finals in general.

If the duo pursued the same level, they would reinforce Qatar's chance in maintaining the continental title like South Korea did in 1956 and 1960 editions, Iran in 1968,1972 and 1976 editions, Saudi Arabia in 1984 and 1988 editions and Iran in 2000 and 2004 editions.

Akram Afif commended his colleague Almoez Ali after winning the opening match of the current edition, indicating that the Qatari team need an all-hands-on-deck approach to go further beyond the championship. He added that Almoez's role is as very important as the rest of the group, because the team count on the collective playing.

The Qatari team seek to achieve the second victory in this edition when they confront Tajikistan in the second round within Group A competitions in which they reaped three points. (QNA)