Latest news with #AliIssa
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al-Ahli wins its first Asian Champions League title
Kawasaki Flontale fans cheer prior to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Ivan Toney, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Kawasaki Flontale's Kota Takai during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Roberto Firmino runs with the ball during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal as Kawasaki Flontale's goalkeeper Louis Takaji Yamaguchi reacts after he fails to save the ball during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal as Kawasaki Flontale's goalkeeper Louis Takaji Yamaguchi reacts after he fails to save the ball during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Kawasaki Flontale fans cheer prior to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Ivan Toney, left, attempts a shot at goal in front of Kawasaki Flontale's Kota Takai during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Roberto Firmino runs with the ball during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal as Kawasaki Flontale's goalkeeper Louis Takaji Yamaguchi reacts after he fails to save the ball during to the AFC Champions League Elite final soccer match between Kawasaki Flontale and Al Ahli at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, May 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia won its first AFC Champions League Elite title after beating Kawasaki Frontale of Japan 2-0 in the final on Saturday. The star-studded Jeddah team, playing at home in front of 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, deserved what was a comfortable victory and completed an unbeaten tournament. Advertisement First-half goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie put the two-time beaten finalist in control against the five-time Japanese champion. Al-Ahli was on top early and made the breakthrough after 35 minutes. Roberto Firmino fed Galeno outside the area and the Brazilian winger, signed from Porto in January for around $55 million, curled a shot into the top corner. Three minutes before the break, Firmino, who went on to be named as the tournament's most valuable player, crossed from the right for Kessie, and the former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder headed home from close range. Kawasaki, which knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the semifinals to reach its first final, pressured after the restart but struggled to create clear chances against a team full of big-game experience. Advertisement Firmino, signed from Liverpool in 2023, is a past UEFA Champions League winner, as are team-mates Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, who lifted the trophy with Manchester City and Chelsea respectively. Mahrez, with nine goals in the tournament, came close to adding a third late in the final, firing just wide. The home fans were already celebrating. "We are so proud. Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans,' Al-Ahli goalkeeper Mendy said. 'Since I came here 18 months ago, they have supported us so much. As I said when I signed, it was to make history, to win trophies and to make this club as big as it was before.' Al-Ahli is the third Saudi club to win the Champions League after Jeddah rival Al-Ittihad and Riyadh's Al-Hilal. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ronaldo's Al-Nassr out of Asian Champions League with semifinal loss to Kawasaki Frontale
Kawasaki Frontale's Kota Takai (2) rises above to head the ball during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Nassr at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) walks off after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) walks off after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Sadio Mane, right, celebrates after scoring against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Jhon Duran, left, looks to shoot against Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Nassr at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Kawasaki Frontale players, center, celebrate after defeating Al Nassr in a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Kawasaki Frontale's Kento Tachibanada, right, plays the ball as Al Nassr's Otavio, left, closes in during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Kawasaki Frontale's Kota Takai (2) rises above to head the ball during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Nassr at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) walks off after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) walks off after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Sadio Mane, right, celebrates after scoring against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Jhon Duran, left, looks to shoot against Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Nassr at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Kawasaki Frontale players, center, celebrate after defeating Al Nassr in a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Kawasaki Frontale's Kento Tachibanada, right, plays the ball as Al Nassr's Otavio, left, closes in during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after his team lost to Kawasaki Frontale during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for a major trophy in Saudi Arabia is set to continue as Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale in the Asian Champions League semifinals on Wednesday. The 40-year-old Ronaldo, who signed for the Riyadh club in December 2022, had chances but failed to score. Advertisement Kawasaki will face another Saudi Arabian team, Al-Ahli, in Saturday's final with both teams looking for a first continental title. Kawasaki was ahead after just 10 minutes thanks to a spectacular volley from Tatsuya Ito. Just before the half-hour mark, however, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored for Al-Nassr to make it 1-1. Soon after, Ronaldo headed against the woodwork but it was Kawasaki who scored next, restoring its lead three minutes before the break through Yuto Ozeki. Al-Nassr continued to attack but fell further behind after 76 minutes as Akihiro Ienaga scored from close range. Ayman Yahya scored for Al-Nassr with three minutes remaining but despite Ronaldo and Jhon Duran — signed for over $100 million from English Premier League club Aston Villa in January — going close, the Riyadh club could not get the equalizer. Two-time finalist Al-Ahli reached the final by beating fellow Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal 3-1 on Tuesday. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Firmino and Toney score as Al-Ahli reaches Asian Champions League final
Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno, right, fights for the ball with Al Hilal's Hamad Al-Tuhayfan during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic reacts to the referee during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Hilal at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Hilal's Salem Al-Dawsari, left, avoids the sliding challenge from Al Ahli's Ali Majrashi during a semifinal match in the AFC Champions League Elite soccer tournament at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli players celebrate after they defeated Al Hilal in a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli players celebrate after scoring against Al Hilal during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli players celebrate after scoring against Al Hilal during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli's Wenderson Galeno, right, fights for the ball with Al Hilal's Hamad Al-Tuhayfan during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Hilal's Aleksandar Mitrovic reacts to the referee during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match against Al Hilal at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Hilal's Salem Al-Dawsari, left, avoids the sliding challenge from Al Ahli's Ali Majrashi during a semifinal match in the AFC Champions League Elite soccer tournament at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli players celebrate after they defeated Al Hilal in a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) Al Ahli players celebrate after scoring against Al Hilal during a AFC Champions League Elite semifinal soccer match at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April, 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ali Issa) JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney scored as Al-Ahli beat Al-Hilal 3-1 to reach the final of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday. The all-Saudi Arabian semifinal was played before more than 50,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Al-Ahli's home city. Advertisement Al-Ahli will take on the winner of Wednesday's clash between Al-Nassr, also of Saudi Arabia, and Japan's Kawasaki Frontale in Sunday's final. 'Al-Ahli was the better team,' Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus said. 'This was a game between two good teams and while we had some good periods in the game, they outperformed us.' It took just nine minutes for Al-Ahli to open the scoring as Firmino, who joined the club from Liverpool in 2023, shot home from inside the area. Just before the half-hour, ex-Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez set up Toney for the England striker to make it 2-0. Al-Hilal hit back after 42 minutes as Saudi Arabian international Salem Al-Dawsari scored his 10th goal of the tournament so far. Advertisement On the hour, Al-Hilal was reduced to 10 men as former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a second yellow card. There was still time for former Barcelona and AC Milan star Franck Kessie to see his penalty saved by Hilal's Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. In stoppage time, however, Firas Al-Buraikan made it 3-1 to seal a famous win for Al-Ahli and a first final appearance since 2012. 'It was a great night for us and our fans,' Al-Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle said. 'We are now just one step away from the title and all our focus is on that. We don't mind who we play, Al-Nassr or Kawasaki. We will be ready.' ___ AP soccer:
