The competition for the top scorer in the Asian Cup is fierce, and the last Golden Boot is no longer

Mondo Sports Updated on 2024-02-01

The Asian Cup knockout round is in full swing, and the competition for the top scorer is also very fierce, and it is still difficult to finally belong.

Iraq's Ayman Hussein currently leads the scorers' charts but has no chance to improve his goal tally. Against Jordan, he scored his sixth goal of the tournament to give his side a 2-1 lead.

However, his joy lasted less than a minute before he was sent off for a celebratory goal.

After the absence of their leading scorer, Iraq faced a lot of difficulties, and were beaten 2-3 by two goals in stoppage time.

Hussein's exit provided an opportunity for other players to compete for the top scorer.

Hosts Qatar's Afif is currently in second place on the scorer list with four goals.

In the quarter-finals against Palestine, Afif scored a crucial goal to help his side turn 2-1.

The 27-year-old striker still has plenty of opportunities to improve his goal tally and at least one knockout game to play.

Behind him, there are three players who have scored three goals, including Japan's Kiyo Ueda, South Korea's Lee Gang-in and Palestine's Dabagh.

The first two stars still have a chance, with Japan yet to play in the first knockout round against Bahrain, South Korea beating Saudi Arabia on penalties to advance to the last eight, while Dabagh has no chance.

As many as 15 of the top scorers have scored two goals so far, with only three of them failing to score again, including UAE's Ghassani and Adil and Thailand's Subachai Chai.

Meanwhile, the top scorers of the last Asian Cup have not performed as well as they should.

Almoz Ali was in excellent form with the UAE five years ago, scoring nine goals to help Qatar win the Asian title for the first time. Not only was he named the top scorer of the tournament, but he also won the title of best player.

However, the 1996-born striker has been in a slump at home stadium and has scored just one goal in the opening game against Lebanon.

Not only Ali, but Iranian striker Azmoun is also in poor form, scoring only one goal.

As things stand, the top scorer in this year's Asian Cup will be won by a new face.

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