Abderaouf Cheniouni
Saudi Arabia 0-0 UAE (Match Abandoned at half-time)
Saudi Arabia and the UAE had to dust themselves off and go again in one of the most psychologically and emotionally demanding matches in football— a fixture few teams want to play. Nevertheless, the contest still represented a chance for one of the teams to finish on the final podium and leave the tournament on a high, after disappointing semi-final results. It would turn out, however, that neither team would get the opportunity, as the game was abandoned halfway due to adverse weather.
Both sides put on an entertaining half of football under the rain, as conditions progressively worsened. The first major sight at goal fell to the UAE in the 12th minute, when Ali Saleh’s parried shot fell to Yahya Al Ghassani who blazed over with the goal at his mercy. Salem Al Dawsari responded in the 19th minute with a well-taken goal when he was released on the left-hand side, only to see the flag raised after he had gone a fraction early.
Neither side would be able to break the deadlock as they exchanged sporadic shots at goal, before the referee blew for halftime. The players would briefly come out for the second period before being sent back inside as the match officials deemed conditions untenable. Ground staff eventually restored the pitch to playable condition but officials took the decision to abandon the match to ‘ensure the safety of players, fans, and staff’.
FIFA subsequently declared the match a 0-0 draw, stating, as per FIFA regulations and statutes: “third place is shared between both teams and the total prize money allocated for third and fourth place will be combined and split equally amongst both participating teams”.
Jordan 2-3 Morocco (AET)
Morocco goals: Oussama Tannane (4), Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah (88, 100)
Jordan goals: Ali Olwan (48, 68 pen)
Player of the Match: Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah (Morocco)
For some time, it was touch and go whether the showpiece fixture would go ahead as heavy downpours threatened to spoil the party at Lusail Stadium. Ground staff, officials and organizers worked tirelessly to ensure fans would not be disappointed as the game eventually kicked off on schedule.
It is not a common occurrence in finals, but It would have been hard to argue that the two finalists in this one were not the two best teams at the tournament. Played out on the same stage that hosted the historic 2022 World Cup Final, the 120 minutes tonight was not too dissimilar in entertainment value.
The tone was set early in the encounter when Oussama Tannane received an Amine Zahzouh backheel in his own half and, after barely glancing up, let fly from 59 meters out to catch Yazeed Abulaila off his line and score the goal of the tournament.
Morocco settled into control of the first half thereafter, enjoying a majority of possession, albeit without clear-cut opportunities to go with it.
After employing the cautious approach that had served them so well thus far, Jordan emerged from half-time with renewed purpose. Their response was immediate as they became the first side to breach the Moroccan backline— the only goal Morocco conceded before that being an own goal— just three minutes into the second half when Ali Olwan rose unmarked at the back post to power a header home. The equalizer galvanized the Jordanians as they smelled blood. The Nashama rallied and would get their dues when they were awarded a penalty kick after Mahmoud Al Mardi’s shot struck the arm of Achraf El Mahdioui. Tournament top scorer Ali Olwan stepped up and converted his fifth penalty and sixth goal of the tournament.
With time ticking away, Jordan thought they were finally headed for the glory of silverware— after the disappointment of their 2023 Asian Cup loss— but Morocco would not relent as they through everything at their opponent. Jordanian resolve would finally crack when Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah reacted quickest after his initial effort came off the post only for him to bundle the ball home to force extra time, but only after Olwan missed a gilt-edged opportunity to win it in the 98th minute, when he was denied one-on-one by by a sprawling El Mehdi Benabid.
Deliverance for Morocco would arrive in the 100th minute as Hamed Allah pounced on an overhead kick from Marwane Saadane to prod the ball in from close range, sealing a memorable comeback and sending the Moroccan crowd into raptures.
A final for the ages, in a stadium building a reputation for classics, and a Moroccan side that continues to impress across all tournaments and age categories over the last few years. Jordan, worthy finalists, leave Qatar with their heads held high, and looking forward to what, with this group of players, promises to be an experience for the ages at the World Cup next summer.
For Qatar, the end of the competition closes the chapter on another impeccable tournament hosted in the nation, further cementing its status as a global leader when it comes to putting on world-class spectacles.