Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli emerged victorious in the Asian Champions League Elite final, defeating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday in front of a jubilant home crowd at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Brazilian winger Galeno opened the scoring for the Saudi Arabian giants in the 35th minute with a stunning curling strike that nestled into the top corner. Just three minutes before the halftime whistle, Franck Kessie doubled Al Ahli’s advantage with a well-placed header.
This triumph marks Al Ahli’s maiden Asian Champions League title, making them the third club from Saudi Arabia to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.
Al Ahli entered the final as firm favorites, boasting a star-studded lineup that included UEFA Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino. Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi was called into action early, twice denying Ivan Toney and Ziyad Al-Johani within the opening six minutes.
Kawasaki threatened to silence the home crowd in the 11th minute through Marcinho’sIndividual brilliance, but his shot went wide of the far post. Al Ahli continued to press, with Toney and Roger Ibanez both going close, but Kawasaki’s disciplined defense held firm until late in the first half.
The breakthrough arrived when Kawasaki conceded possession near their own goal. Firmino teed up Galeno, who unleashed a perfectly executed right-footed curler into the top corner, leaving So Kawahara with no chance.
Al Ahli capitalized on Kawasaki being temporarily down to ten men due to an injury to Sota Miura. Firmino was once again instrumental, bursting down the right and delivering a cross for the onrushing Kessie to head home, extending their lead.
Despite substitutes Sai van Wermeskerken and Tatsuya Ito creating late opportunities for Kawasaki, Al Ahli’s defense held strong, ensuring a historic victory in their third appearance in the Asian Champions League final, having previously finished as runners-up in 1986 and 2012.
