Jeddah: First half strikes from Galeno and Franck Kessie steered Al Ahli Saudi FC to a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite Final , Jeddah 2025 in front of more than 58,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.
It was a richly deserved triumph, with the side from Saudi Arabia completing their campaign with an astonishing 12 wins and one draw to end their long wait for the continental title, having twice emerged runners-up.
It was heartbreak for Japan’s Frontale, who were appearing in their maiden final but had to concede defeat to a superior Al Ahli.
Ahead of the kick-off, former Al Ahli Saudi player Khaled Massad unveiled the AFC Champions League Elite trophy.
With their fans spurring them on, Al Ahli settled quickly and had a close look at goal in the fifth minute with Ivan Toney forcing Louis Yamaguchi into a sprawling save before the Frontale custodian made himself big to deny Ziyad Al Johani from point-blank range.
Frontale, however, were far from being overawed and just as they had against Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals, looked to hit on the counter.
One such move in the 11th minute saw Yuki Yamamoto setting up a surging Marchinio, who wriggled his way into the box before unleashing a shot which forced Eduardo Mendy into action.
Al Ahli, however, continued to hold the upper hand and Frontale were let off the hook in the 18th minute after the Saudi Arabian side’s quick transition left the Japanese side trailing in their wake but Ibanez just couldn’t get enough curl on the ball as it sailed wide of the right post.
With Frontale continuing to frustrate them, Al Ahli needed a moment of magic to open the scoring and it came in the 35th minute through Galeno, with the Brazilian collecting Roberto Firmino’s pass before unleashing a looping strike from just outside the box over a despairing Yamaguchi.
With a spring in their step, it didn’t take Al Ahli long to double their advantage as they caught Frontale with a counter-attacking move with Firmino assisting again by delivering a pin-point cross for Kessie to nod home from close range.
With the onus on Frontale to chase the game, Al Ahli were content to sit back and soak up the Japanese pressure.
Frontale, however, had to wait till the 57th minute for a sight on goal with Yasuto Wakizaka floating the ball into the box but Sai van Wermeskerken failed to get his header on target.
Frontale, to their credit, kept on pushing but were limited to half chances with substitute Tatsuya Ito pulling his effort wide from just above the box in the 76th minute, before squandering another effort from inside the box moments later.
The Japanese side’s chase was made even more difficult by the resolute Al Ahli defence with Frontale’s advances easily contained as the side from Saudi Arabia saw out the match to finally lay their hands on the coveted trophy.
