The championship match is about to start between the two Middle Eastern powers, Qatar and Jordan. Qatar seems to have the upper hand in terms of geography and time, and is poised to repeat its success. However, Jordan's performance should not be underestimated, as their striker partners have a good understanding of each other and have swept South Korea in the knockout rounds, demonstrating the power gap between them and their rivals.
As the Asian Cup draws to a close, the cold streak is on the rise. Japan's surprise exit from the tournament prevented them from reaching the quarterfinals, while traditional powerhouses Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia also failed to reach the semifinals. Both semifinal matches ended in the cold, which casts a shadow over Qatar's chances of winning the final. I firmly believe that Jordan has the potential to pull off a stunning comeback. As for referee Manning, he is known for his strictness and will not favor any side on Qatar's home turf.
