May 4 – Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli have won their first AFC Champions League title in Jeddah, beating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to cap a remarkable campaign that saw them accumulate 12 wins and just one draw.
In front of 58,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday two first half goals from Brazilian Galeno and Ivorian Franck Kessie secured the win. Al Ahli have twice finished runners-up in the Asian Champions League.
Congratulating both teams Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa highlighted the success of the launch of the ACL Elite.
“There’s no doubt that the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 has featured some of the most breathtaking, world-class matches between the Continent’s top teams we’ve ever seen, making it one of our most memorable seasons to date,” said Salman.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to all our Participating Member Associations and Clubs, as well as to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leadership for their impeccable hosting of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025, as the unique centralised format added an extra level of excitement to the tournament.”
Al Ahli, in fornt of their vociferous support, started quickly with Ivan Toney forcing Louis Yamaguchi into a sprawling save in the fifth minute.
In the 35th minute a moment of brilliance from Galeno game Al Ahli the lead. Collecting Roberto Firmino’s pass he unleashed a looping strike from just outside the box over Yamaguchi.
Al Ahli were soon two up. A counter-attack saw Firmino again the provider with a cross for Kessie to head in from close range.
Now Frontale has to chase the game and Al Ahli were content to sit in and soak up the Japanese pressure. Frontale created chances but lacked the cutting edge to finish them off with Al Ahli comfortable soaking up any pressure.
It was a significant win for the Saudi club who are the third Saudi winners of the Champions League in six years – Al Hilal having won the title twice in those years and been a losing finalist once.
“We have embarked on a bold and exciting journey to reshape the landscape of Asian club football. With our renewed commitment to excellence, I firmly believe that our club competitions will continue to evolve, delivering higher standards of performance, greater global recognition, and unforgettable experiences for our players, clubs and fans alike. The future holds great promise, and with each passing season, we will continue to push the boundaries of what Asian football can achieve,” said Salman.
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