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Kuwait Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Al Ahli champions of Asia
Saudi club wins Asian Champions League • Firmino named MVP JEDDAH: Al Ahli were crowned champions of Asia at the third attempt after the Saudi Arabian side overpowered Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in Jeddah on Saturday. The Jeddah club, runners-up in 1986 and 2012, triumphed at their King Abdullah Sports City Stadium thanks to two goals in seven minutes towards the end of the first half from Brazilian Galeno and Ivory Coast captain Franck Kessie. The Asian Champions League's latter stages have all taken place in Jeddah. With the win, Roberto Firmino, Edouard Mendy and Riyad Mahrez become the first players to capture both Asian club football's premier title and its European equivalent. The trio won the Champions League with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City respectively. 'We are so proud,' Al Ahli goalkeeper Mendy said. 'Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans. Since I came here 18 months ago, they supported us so much. As I said when I signed here, it's to make history, to continue to win trophies and make this club as big as it was before. The secret is the team effort. If someone makes the effort it will make it easier for the one next to him. We just played like this; you saw the fire, you saw the spirit.' Firmino said he was proud of making history with his Saudi club and becoming an Asian Champions League winner, six years after lifting the prestigious European equivalent with Liverpool. The 33-year-old Brazilian forward was an important member of Jurgen Klopp's side who won the UEFA Champions League in 2019. Firmino was named the AFC Champions League's most valuable as the Jeddah club became Asian champions for the first time. 'I'm very happy and very proud of the team,' said Firmino. 'Happy to make history here and able to repay the support of the club, family and friends. I'm very grateful and I feel privileged to be given this talent and opportunity. I always do my best to help my teammates and my team.' Firmino scored six goals en route to the final and was pivotal again in the showpiece. The veteran laid on the pass for fellow Brazilian Galeno to curl a delicious shot into the top corner in the 35th minute before producing a pinpoint cross seven minutes later for Franck Kessie to nod home. 'This title win shows us to have a monster mentality,' said Firmino. 'We always believed we could be champions and we have done it.' Al Ahli, who are majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, are awarded $10 million for clinching the title. Matthias Jaissle's side went unbeaten through all 13 matches of the campaign. Frontale, meanwhile, were contesting the final for the first time having never previously been beyond the last eight. Al Ahli too strong Al Ahli began on the front foot, summer signing Ivan Toney stinging the palms of Louis Yamaguchi on five minutes before the Frontale goalkeeper then saved Ziyad Al Johani's close-range effort from the resultant corner. At the other end, Frontale's Brazilian forward Marcinho showed some fast feet down his side's left, before sending his effort inches past Mendy's far post. Yet Al Ahli always looked the more dangerous. Toney lashed wide on the half-volley, defender Roger Ibanez curled narrowly off target and Firmino sent a volley straight at Yamaguchi. However, on 35 minutes, Firmino rolled a pass to winger Galeno, who curled a spectacular effort from 25 yards into the top corner. Galeno, a winter signing from Porto for a reported 50 million euros ($56 million), has actually taken Firmino's spot in Al Ahli's Saudi Pro League squad, meaning the former Liverpool forward is not registered to play in the domestic league. Three minutes before half-time, Firmino floated a cross into the Frontale six-yard box for Kessie to power home his header and double Al Ahli's advantage. The assist lifted Firmino, the club captain, to seven in this season's Champions League – and to one behind Mahrez at the top of the tournament's assist charts. Frontale, who defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the semifinal, did not have a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. In the second half, Firmino and Mahrez each flashed efforts well wide, with the former substituted on 74 minutes to rapturous applause. Not long after, Frontale substitute Tatsuya Ito fired two shots in quick succession inches off target. In the end, Al Ahli celebrated becoming only the third Saudi club to win the Champions League, after record four-time winners Al Hilal and two-time champions Al Ittihad. — AFP
Japan Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Kawasaki can hold its head high after spirited Asian Champions League effort
Kawasaki Frontale fell just short in its Asian Champions League Elite final against Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli in Jeddah on Saturday night, but Shigetoshi Hasebe's side can still take plenty of solace from its performance in the competition. A 2-0 defeat against a squad worth an estimated $200 million playing in front of almost 60,000 of its own fans at its home stadium is nothing to be ashamed of, and to say the odds were stacked against Frontale is something of an understatement. As with so many recent developments in global soccer, the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) new centralized format for its showpiece club competition was heavily influenced by the flexing of Saudi Arabian financial muscle. Hosting games from the quarterfinals onward in Jeddah offered a trio of clubs backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) increased chances of success, and behind the scenes the hope must surely have been that Al-Hilal, the fervently-supported and most successful side in Asian club competition, would square off against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in the final. Things started promisingly towards that end as Al-Hilal battered Gwangju of South Korea 7-0 and Al-Nassr cruised past Yokohama F. Marinos 4-1 in the quarterfinals, but the script was torn up in the semifinals as Al-Ahli — the third PIF club — beat Al-Hilal 3-1 and Frontale claimed a famous 3-2 victory over Ronaldo and company. Ahead of the final, Hasebe dismissed the notion that money would decide the outcome of the game. 'Of course budgets are important in our world,' the 54-year-old said. 'However, you don't have money with you when you are playing. You don't play with your wallet or your card. 'For the players, the most important thing is what they can do on the pitch.' Al-Ahli forward Roberto Firmino celebrates a goal during the final of the Asian Champions League on Saturday. | AFP-JIJI While a noble premise — and one Frontale backed up by sending Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Jhon Duran packing in the semifinals — the financial disparity between Frontale and Al-Ahli proved impossible to ignore, with the latter's starting 11 packed with nine players signed from some of Europe's biggest leagues. That wasn't all the J. League representative was up against. As well as needing to travel to the Middle East for the decisive games, Frontale also had a day less than Al-Ahli to prepare for the final, and had played 30 minutes more than its opponent after going to extra-time in its quarterfinal against Al-Sadd. Such a tight turnaround in conjunction with home advantage for Al-Ahli meant that, while talk in the Frontale camp pregame was of course about bringing the trophy home, to an extent Hasebe's side was playing with house money heading into the final — its first ever, having never previously progressed beyond the last eight. Meanwhile, star-studded Al-Ahli came into the game on a 17-match unbeaten streak in Asian competition — winning 13 of them — and held Frontale at arm's length throughout at its King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Against opposition that ruthless you have to be perfect, and ultimately Kawasaki wasn't. While the first goal from Galeno was a phenomenal strike, Frontale was too slow to close the Brazilian down when he received possession just outside the penalty area, inviting him to shoot. Seven minutes later, Frontale switched off again when briefly down to 10 men as Sota Miura received treatment, allowing an overload into the box and former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie an easy header. From that point on the result never looked in doubt, with Al-Ahli's wealth of talent — including a trio of European Champions League winners in Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and Edouard Mendy — knowing how to see out the win. Despite the defeat there are still positives for Frontale to take from their time in Saudi Arabia, and the wins over Al-Sadd and Al-Nassr offer plenty for Hasebe to build upon. The tournament also produced another trio of standout performances from 20-year-old center back Kota Takai, who has composure beyond his years and doesn't seem fazed by anything. Frontale's impressive center back Kota Takai battles for the ball during Kawasaki's loss in the final of the Asian Champions League on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. | ©J. League This was evidenced in his bold decision to wear a designer crocodile leather coat reportedly worth almost ¥1 million when receiving the J. League's Best Young Player award last season — and Takai collected some impressive scalps in Jeddah as well. The Kawasaki youth product further bolstered his burgeoning reputation in the quarterfinal against Al-Sadd by forming part of the defense that prevented reigning AFC Player of the Year Akram Afif from scoring. That group then kept Ronaldo and Duran off the scoresheet in the semifinal and didn't give an inch against Al-Ahli's Ivan Toney either. Takai has already played twice for Japan — making his first start in the recent World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia — and with European clubs circling, it's surely only a matter of time before he is playing against the best in the world every week. Frontale may not be able to benefit from Takai's quality for much longer, but Hasebe's reign has only just begun. Since taking over from Toru Oniki at the start of the season the new boss has already instilled greater defensive awareness in the team — perhaps the only thing they lacked under Oniki, whose attacking style delivered every domestic title in eight trophy-laden years at Todoroki Stadium. Hasebe brings a more balanced approach, and while dismissed in some quarters as too conservative, it is one that has produced results wherever he has worked. After steering second division also-rans Mito Hollyhock to the brink of the promotion playoffs with the second best defense behind champion Kashiwa Reysol in 2019, Hasebe moved to Avispa Fukuoka in 2020 and instantly led them to promotion to the top flight as J2 runners-up — this time with the best rearguard in the second tier. He then set about establishing the yo-yo club as a fixture in the top flight, peaking in 2023 when delivering a club-best seventh-placed finish in J1 and a first piece of silverware by defeating Urawa Reds 2-1 in the Levain Cup final. Those achievements saw him installed as Oniki's successor at Frontale, where he has started solidly in the league and has now guided the club to the verge of continental glory — the one stage his predecessor was unable to conquer. Once Frontale has shaken off the disappointment of Saturday's final it should realize it also gained a lot over the past week and that the club's future under Hasebe looks bright.
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Ex-Liverpool star Firmino 'proud' after more Champions League history
JEDDAH: Roberto Firmino said he was proud of making history with his Saudi club and becoming an Asian Champions League (ACL) winner, six years after lifting the prestigious European equivalent with Liverpool. The 33-year-old Brazilian forward was an important member of Jurgen Klopp's side who won the UEFA Champions League in 2019. Firmino was named the AFC Champions League's most valuable player after inspiring Al Ahli to beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday as the Jeddah club became Asian champions for the first time. "I'm very happy and very proud of the team," said Firmino. "Happy to make history here and able to repay the support of the club, family and friends. "I'm very grateful and I feel privileged to be given this talent and opportunity. I always do my best to help my teammates and my team." Firmino scored six goals en route to the final and was pivotal again in the showpiece. The veteran laid on the pass for fellow Brazilian Galeno to curl a delicious shot into the top corner in the 35th minute before producing a pinpoint cross seven minutes later for Franck Kessie to nod home. "This title win shows us to have a monster mentality," said Firmino. "We always believed we could be champions and we have done it." Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle praised the 58,000 home fans at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium for playing their part in the win. "I'm so proud of the players for how they were doing, how they were performing, how the journey went in this competition," said the German coach. "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 win was even more remarkable given that just three years ago Al Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League. "It's been a crazy journey. Not that long ago, it looked completely different," said Jaissle. Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe conceded that his team had been outplayed. Having knocked out Al Sadd of Qatar after extra time and then upsetting Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al Nassr, Hasebe admitted his tired Frontale players had been unable to hit the heights again in their third tough match in seven days. "They deserved to be champions," said Hasebe of Al Ahli. "They could show their strength, especially in the first half, and we couldn't. The key was the second goal. "If we could play as we know we can, we could have won. The last two games were the proof. Tonight it didn't work and we have to do more in the future." Hasebe admitted that Frontale's defensive frailties had cost them, after they had edged both their quarter-final and semi-final 3-2.
France 24
04-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Ex-Liverpool star Firmino 'proud' after more Champions League history
The 33-year-old Brazilian forward was an important member of Jurgen Klopp's side who won the UEFA Champions League in 2019. Firmino was named the AFC Champions League's most valuable player after inspiring Al Ahli to beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday as the Jeddah club became Asian champions for the first time. "I'm very happy and very proud of the team," said Firmino. "Happy to make history here and able to repay the support of the club, family and friends. "I'm very grateful and I feel privileged to be given this talent and opportunity. I always do my best to help my teammates and my team." Firmino scored six goals en route to the final and was pivotal again in the showpiece. The veteran laid on the pass for fellow Brazilian Galeno to curl a delicious shot into the top corner in the 35th minute before producing a pinpoint cross seven minutes later for Franck Kessie to nod home. "This title win shows us to have a monster mentality," said Firmino. "We always believed we could be champions and we have done it." Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle praised the 58,000 home fans at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium for playing their part in the win. "I'm so proud of the players for how they were doing, how they were performing, how the journey went in this competition," said the German coach. 'A crazy journey' "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 win was even more remarkable given that just three years ago Al Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League. "It's been a crazy journey. Not that long ago, it looked completely different," said Jaissle. Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe conceded that his team had been outplayed. Having knocked out Al Sadd of Qatar after extra time and then upsetting Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al Nassr, Hasebe admitted his tired Frontale players had been unable to hit the heights again in their third tough match in seven days. "They deserved to be champions," said Hasebe of Al Ahli. "They could show their strength, especially in the first half, and we couldn't. The key was the second goal. "If we could play as we know we can, we could have won. The last two games were the proof. Tonight it didn't work and we have to do more in the future." Hasebe admitted that Frontale's defensive frailties had cost them, after they had edged both their quarter-final and semi-final 3-2. "Every single game we played here, we conceded two goals and that's the part we have to improve on for the future."
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Liverpool star Firmino 'proud' after more Champions League history
Roberto Firmino said he was proud of making history with his Saudi club and becoming an Asian Champions League winner, six years after lifting the prestigious European equivalent with Liverpool. The 33-year-old Brazilian forward was an important member of Jurgen Klopp's side who won the UEFA Champions League in 2019. Advertisement Firmino was named the AFC Champions League's most valuable player after inspiring Al Ahli to beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 on Saturday as the Jeddah club became Asian champions for the first time. "I'm very happy and very proud of the team," said Firmino. "Happy to make history here and able to repay the support of the club, family and friends. "I'm very grateful and I feel privileged to be given this talent and opportunity. I always do my best to help my teammates and my team." Firmino scored six goals en route to the final and was pivotal again in the showpiece. Advertisement The veteran laid on the pass for fellow Brazilian Galeno to curl a delicious shot into the top corner in the 35th minute before producing a pinpoint cross seven minutes later for Franck Kessie to nod home. "This title win shows us to have a monster mentality," said Firmino. "We always believed we could be champions and we have done it." Al Ahli head coach Matthias Jaissle praised the 58,000 home fans at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium for playing their part in the win. "I'm so proud of the players for how they were doing, how they were performing, how the journey went in this competition," said the German coach. Advertisement - 'A crazy journey' - "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 win was even more remarkable given that just three years ago Al Ahli were relegated from the Saudi Pro League. "It's been a crazy journey. Not that long ago, it looked completely different," said Jaissle. Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe conceded that his team had been outplayed. Having knocked out Al Sadd of Qatar after extra time and then upsetting Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al Nassr, Hasebe admitted his tired Frontale players had been unable to hit the heights again in their third tough match in seven days. Advertisement "They deserved to be champions," said Hasebe of Al Ahli. "They could show their strength, especially in the first half, and we couldn't. The key was the second goal. "If we could play as we know we can, we could have won. The last two games were the proof. Tonight it didn't work and we have to do more in the future." Hasebe admitted that Frontale's defensive frailties had cost them, after they had edged both their quarter-final and semi-final 3-2. "Every single game we played here, we conceded two goals and that's the part we have to improve on for the future." bur-dh/dhc
