A little over a year after it hosted a memorable 2022 Fifa World Cup, Qatar welcomed top-level football to its shores once again as the rescheduled <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/2024/01/03/2023-asian-cup-teams-matches-key-players-and-how-you-can-watch-in-the-uae/" target="_blank">2023 Asian Cup </a>kicked off in Lusail on Friday. After China backed out of hosting the tournament, Qatar - who have hosted the Asian Cup twice before in 1988 and 2011 - accepted the opportunity. Friday was a moment to celebrate at the Lusail Stadium, which would later host the opening match between Qatar and Lebanon. <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2024/01/12/asian-cup-musical-kelileh-and-demneh/" target="_blank">The opening ceremony </a>celebrated the diversity of the football teams in the competition, the region's animal kingdom and its storytelling heritage. The ceremony featured a musical called <i>The Lost Chapter of Kelileh and Demneh</i>. It featured actors portraying 24 animals native to Asia and the Middle East. This year's tournament features 24 teams from across the continent. World Cup-qualifying teams South Korea, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Iran are among the nations competing in the tournament that runs until February 10. Tottenham's South Korea forward Son Heung-Min is arguably the biggest star attraction, but there are a number of other well-known names in action. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo will be competing for Japan and he will be joined by compatriots Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Takumi Minamino (Monaco) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal).
