Al Ahli Secures Inaugural Asian Champions League Elite Title in Club's History
Al Ahli secured their inaugural Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite title by defeating Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final on Saturday. The illustrious Jeddah club achieved a comfortable victory in front of 60,000 fans...
TroibNews 
Al Ahli secured their inaugural Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite title by defeating Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final on Saturday.
The illustrious Jeddah club achieved a comfortable victory in front of 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, completing an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.
Galeno and Franck Kessie both scored in the first half, putting Saudi Arabia's two-time continental runners-up firmly in control against the title-match debutants from Japan.
The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final took place in Jeddah, where Al Ahli benefited from an enthusiastic home crowd.
The hosts displayed aggression from the beginning and found the net 35 minutes into the match. Roberto Firmino set up Galeno just outside the area, and the Brazilian winger, who joined from Porto in January for a reported $55 million, struck a curling shot into the top corner.
Just three minutes before halftime, Firmino delivered a cross from the right that Kessie headed in from close range. Firmino's standout performance also earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.
Kawasaki, who had eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the semifinals to reach their first final, applied pressure after the break but found it challenging to create significant opportunities against a team rich in big-game experience.
Firmino, who moved from Liverpool in 2023, is a past UEFA Champions League winner alongside teammates Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, who previously lifted Europe’s top club trophy with Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively.
Mahrez, who netted nine goals during the tournament, came close to adding a third goal but shot just wide late in the match. The home supporters were already in celebration mode.
"We are so proud. Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans," remarked Al Ahli goalkeeper Mendy. "Since I came here 18 months ago, they have supported us so much. As I said when I signed, it was to make history, to win trophies, and to make this club as big as it was before."
Al Ahli joins Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad and Riyadh's Al Hilal as the third Saudi club to claim the Asian Champions League title.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
The illustrious Jeddah club achieved a comfortable victory in front of 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, completing an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.
Galeno and Franck Kessie both scored in the first half, putting Saudi Arabia's two-time continental runners-up firmly in control against the title-match debutants from Japan.
The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final took place in Jeddah, where Al Ahli benefited from an enthusiastic home crowd.
The hosts displayed aggression from the beginning and found the net 35 minutes into the match. Roberto Firmino set up Galeno just outside the area, and the Brazilian winger, who joined from Porto in January for a reported $55 million, struck a curling shot into the top corner.
Just three minutes before halftime, Firmino delivered a cross from the right that Kessie headed in from close range. Firmino's standout performance also earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.
Kawasaki, who had eliminated Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the semifinals to reach their first final, applied pressure after the break but found it challenging to create significant opportunities against a team rich in big-game experience.
Firmino, who moved from Liverpool in 2023, is a past UEFA Champions League winner alongside teammates Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, who previously lifted Europe’s top club trophy with Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively.
Mahrez, who netted nine goals during the tournament, came close to adding a third goal but shot just wide late in the match. The home supporters were already in celebration mode.
"We are so proud. Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans," remarked Al Ahli goalkeeper Mendy. "Since I came here 18 months ago, they have supported us so much. As I said when I signed, it was to make history, to win trophies, and to make this club as big as it was before."
Al Ahli joins Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad and Riyadh's Al Hilal as the third Saudi club to claim the Asian Champions League title.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
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