By Abdelaziz Abuhamar
February 2 – The Asian Cup has been characterised by the number of games going down to the wire and in the 44 matches played to the end of the round of 16 a remarkable 18 goals have been scored in added time after the 90 minutes have been played.
That total compares to 11 goals scored in added time throughout the whole of the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE.
So far 112 goals scored in the 2023 Asian Cup, with seven games left to play, according to mundial11.com stats.
The sharp increase in goals in added time suggest a change in the way teams are approaching matches following FIFA’s rule interpretations that effectively lengthened matches, generally by 10 minutes.
The 2023 Asian Cup saw 87 goals scored in the Group state, compared to 96 goals scored during UAE 2019. But the number of goals in the round 16 in Qatar has been much higher. The 8 matches of the round 16 of the saw 25 goals scored comparing to goals in the same round in the 2019.
The 2023 edition of the Asian Cup has seen multiple records broken across the board including the record for spectators set in China 2004. Qatar 2023 has so far registered 1,168,513 fans with seven matches still to be played.
One other record that could fall is Iran’s long standing 13-match unbeaten Asian Cup run. The Qataris have now won 11 matches in a row – four matches in this edition of the Asian Cup, following on from their seven game winning streak on the way to the title in 2019.
To get to 14 consecutive wins would also see the Qataris retain their AFC title.
Contact the writer of this story, Abdulaziz Abuhamar, at moc.l1722045579labto1722045579ofdlr1722045579owedi1722045579sni@o1722045579fni1722045579
