Al Ahli SFC's title is for fans: Jaissle
Agencies
Jeddah
Matthias Jaissle paid equal tribute to the fans after Al Ahli Saudi FC were crowned AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 winners following a 2-0 win against Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.
While Jaissle hailed his players for maintaining the high standards they have set throughout the campaign with another impressive display in the final, he was immensely thankful to the support from the stands as over 58,000 packed the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
'I'm so proud of the players for how they were doing, how they were performing, how the journey went in this competition,' said Jaissle.
'Also the fans who created an amazing atmosphere, which we never take for granted. Together we can achieve special things and that was tonight. It's nice to give something back to the supporters.'
The title of Asian champions has come just three years after Al Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League, which Jaissle said made their triumph even more deserving.
'It's been a crazy journey. Not that long ago, it looked completely different. Incredible how much support they (the fans) bring to the club and the guys delivered today to bring something back that they deserve.'
Unlike their previous two AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 matches where they took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes, Al Ahli actually had a fight on their hands against Japan's Frontale before Galeno's 35th minute wonder strike settled their nerves.
With their confidence boosted, Al Ahli began to play free-flowing football with Franck Kessie doubling their advantage before the break with the Saudi Pro League then opting for a controlled display in the second half.
Admitting that there was immense pressure on the team after they qualified for the final, Jaissle tipped his hat to the incredible character of his players.
'The opponents caused us difficulties, they were well organised but overall we fully deserved it. It's never easy. There's a lot of pressure in such a match and you need to deal with it.
'Even more proud how the players dealt with it. This is not normal and the players showed great personality. In the second half, we defended and we wanted to keep the clean sheet and we managed that in the end.'
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