Al Ahli Saudi beat Kawasaki Frontale to win the championship in an impressive way - Photo: AFC
In the early morning of May 4, Galeno and Franck Kessie scored to help Al Ahli Saudi (Saudi Arabia) defeat Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) with a score of 2-0 in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024-2025.
It was a thoroughly deserved victory, as the Saudi Arabian side completed the campaign with an incredible 12 wins and one draw, ending their long wait for a continental title after two previous runners-up finishes.
It was heartbreak for Japan's Frontale, who were in the final for the first time but had to accept defeat against a superior Al Ahli.
With the enthusiastic cheers of the fans, Al Ahli quickly entered the game with high spirits. They had a dangerous chance in the 5th minute when Ivan Toney forced goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi to dive to block, before the Frontale goalkeeper continued to excellently deny Ziyad Al Johani's close-range shot.
However, Frontale did not appear overwhelmed, just like they did against Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals, the Japanese side looked to counter-attack quickly.
Al Ahli continued to dominate, though. They had their moment of brilliance to open the scoring, and it came in the 35th minute through Galeno. The Brazilian collected a pass from Roberto Firmino before unleashing a beautiful shot from outside the box, beyond the desperate reach of the diving Yamaguchi.
Roberto Firmino (middle) received the title of best player of AFC Champions League 2024-2025 - Photo: AFC
With their spirits high, Al Ahli did not take long to double the gap. They caught Frontale off guard with a sharp counter-attack, Firmino once again playing the role of creator with an accurate cross for Kessie to head the ball into the net from close range.
After that, the Japanese representative tried very hard to push up the squad but only created half-hearted chances. Frontale's attacks were easily neutralized as the Saudi Arabian team successfully maintained the score until the end of the match.
Former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino has been named the best player of the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League. The Brazilian striker has contributed 6 goals and is an irreplaceable factor in the attack of the Saudi Arabian club.
Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan, President of VFF, Head of AFC Competition Committee (right) presented the Fairplay award to representative of Kawasaki Frontale Club - Photo: VFF
Notably, in his capacity as a member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Competition Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Tran Quoc Tuan attended the final match and participated in the awards ceremony.
Mr. Tran Quoc Tuan was the one who directly presented the Fair Play award to Kawasaki Frontale Club, the award given to the team that demonstrated fair play and respect for the rules throughout the tournament.
AFC Champions League 2024-2025
Champion: Al Ahli Saudi.
Runner-up: Kawasaki Frontale.
Fair Play Team: Kawasaki Frontale.
Best player: Roberto Firmino (Al Ahli Saudi).
Top scorer: Al Dawsari (Al Hilal).
Best goalkeeper: Eduoard Mendy (Al Ahli Saudi).
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/club-saudi-arabia-cua-firmino-vo-dich-afc-champions-league-elite-2025050409075083.htm
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