Qatar's Afif still dreams of European return but country comes first

LUSAIL, Qatar : Akram Afif still harbours hopes that he will be given another chance to shine at a European club but for now the Al Sadd playmaker has no plans to leave his homeland, saying it his duty to help Qatar retain their Asian Cup crown.

Afif stole the show with two goals in Friday's Asian Cup opener as hosts Qatar beat Lebanon 3-0 while he was also the busiest attacking player on the pitch, creating numerous chances for his team mates.

Lebanon coach Miodrag Radulovic said Afif proved to be the difference in the game, describing him as "one of the best players in Asia" and that he would not be out of place at a European side.

The 27-year-old has already had a taste of European football, playing for Eupen in the Belgian Pro League before signing for Villarreal, where he was sent out on loan to Sporting Gijon and back to Eupen.

He returned to Qatar in 2018 to join Al Sadd, where opportunities were plentiful and the goals started to flow, even earning the Asian Player of the Year award in 2019.

"Every player wishes to play in Europe. I want to play in Europe tomorrow if possible," Afif told reporters after being named Player of the Match against Lebanon.

"But it's not about Akram. I can't go out of the country and go sit on the bench (when in Europe).

"I'm helping my country. But if you ask me, I do wish (to go play in Europe)."

Wearing the red number 11 shirt, Afif could be mistaken for Liverpool's Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah as he shifts through the gears and uses his pace to beat opponents on the wing but he also has the versatility to find space through the middle.

Not just a terrific finisher, Afif is also a creator of goals, topping the assists charts at the 2019 Asian Cup with 10 - more than twice as many as any