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The National
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
AFC Champions League final: Al Ahli outclass Kawasaki Frontale to seal first Asian crown
Al Ahli Saudi have become the champions of Asia for the first time after they outclassed Kawasaki Frontale at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. They became the third side from Saudi to claim the mantle of the continent's best side, after winning the AFC Champions League Elite final 2-0 in the port city. They had been the best side throughout the campaign, and especially so once the new, centralised finals event decamped to their home patch. They followed wins over Buriram United in Saturday's quarter-final, and against Saudi rivals Al Hilal in Wednesday's semi-final, with a dominant display against the side from Japan. To say it was well received, given that the trophy they have craved for so long was finally delivered in their home stadium, understates it. The official attendance was given as 58,281, but it felt certain there were far more inside 'The Jewel', as the stadium is affectionately known. The gates were shut two hours before the game as a number of ticketless fans were attempting to enter. When they were later opened with a beefed-up security presence, thousands rushed the gates. It made for an extraordinary atmosphere, even by this city's standards. The fans of Jeddah's two clubs, Ahli and Al Ittihad – who, along with Hilal, are the other Saudi side to have won this title – are known for being the most raucous in the Gulf region. If the noise during Ahli's semi-final win was loud, it was amplified massively for the final. Realistically, the resistance the small group of travelling fans were putting up was largely futile. The sound from the home fans was deafening. But the 300 or so away fans still did their best to be heard. They even had a smart little sign of their own which they unveiled as a gigantic banner was unfurled across three tiers in the home end, and a massive tifo ran all the way along the stands to the side. On it was a picture of their smiling coach, Shigetoshi Hasebe, accompanied by the message: 'Hasebe Frontale'. Hasebe has a tough act to live up to. His predecessor won four titles in five seasons for Kawasaki but the incumbent has won many admirers – not just among his own club's fan base – during their run to this final. Talking of high approval ratings, the biggest roars at the start were reserved for Ali Majrashi, the Ahli right back. In the 15th minute, he gave Marcinho, the Kawasaki left-winger, a mouthful after he snubbed out an attack. The Brazilian looked nonplussed – he had done nothing wrong – but Majrashi had been amped since way before the start. His name received the largest roar when the teams were read out. And as the team lined up, arms linked, on the 18-yard line in front of the Ahli ultras, he belted out the team song with the fans. The home fans hardly needed to be whipped into any more of a fervour. Amid the bedlam, the Ahli players took some time to settled. Despite that, they shaded the early exchanges, but it took them till the 35th minute to break to deadlock. And it took a special strike to do it. Galeno provided the magic, curving a bouncing ball into the very top right corner of the goal. Louis Yamaguchi, the Kawasaki goalkeeper, had no chance. The Saudi outfit took control of the game seven minutes later when Franck Kessie doubled the advantage, heading in from close range after great endeavour from Roberto Firmino on the right-hand side. Just after the hour mark, Riyad Mahrez had the chance to put the tie to bed, when a fast break up the Ahli left ended with the ball trickling into his path on the right side of the box. It fell on his less assured right foot, though, and the former Manchester City winger blazed wide. Kawasaki battled on, but it was in vain. Bayed on by such vociferous support, the Ahli players were never going to let them down.
Japan Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Kawasaki Frontale coach eyes another big upset in Asian final
Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe dismissed the yawning financial chasm between his J. League club and big-spending Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli as the teams prepare to meet in Saturday's Asian Champions League Elite final. Kawasaki qualified for the decider at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ahli's home ground, on Wednesday with an against-the-odds win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Hasebe now has his eye on claiming another big victim. His side faces an Al-Ahli squad worth an estimated $200 million and boasting UEFA Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, but Hasebe said the huge transfer fees and salaries paid by Saudi clubs will mean little at kickoff. "The budget is a very important factor, but the players are not playing with their wallets or their credit cards," Hasebe told reporters. "The players play football on the pitch. Of course, money and the budget will affect things somehow, but football is played on the pitch." Kawasaki, whose annual wage bill is about a third of the $59 million Mahrez is reported to earn each year, will be appearing in the final of the continental championship for the first time, having never previously progressed beyond the quarterfinals. An extra-time win over Qatar's Al-Sadd last Sunday took the four-time J. League champions into the last four before Hasebe's side pulled off a surprise 3-2 win over Al-Nassr on Wednesday. Al-Ahli will have the added advantage of playing the final in front of a stadium dominated by its fans, although Hasebe believes his side could have the backing of a significant section of the sold-out crowd. About 300 Kawasaki fans made the 16-hour trip to Jeddah for the semifinals and while more are expected to appear for the final, Hasebe is hoping to also gain support from elsewhere. "We don't have any big injuries, everyone is healthy and ready to play tomorrow," Hasebe said. "The fans from Al-Ahli will come to the stadium but I'm sure fans from other clubs in Saudi Arabia, their rivals like Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr, will come to the stadium. "I don't think all the Saudi people are supporting Al-Ahli. And we can't forget the people from Japan who have come as well. They will be supporting us as well. That's going to be very helpful."
New Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Players don't play with wallets says Kawasaki coach ahead of Asian final
JEDDAH: Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe dismissed the yawning financial chasm between his J-League club and big-spending Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli as the teams prepare to meet in tomorrow's Asian Champions League Elite final. Kawasaki qualified for the decider at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ahli's home ground, on Wednesday with an against-the-odds win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Hasebe now has his eye on claiming another big victim. His side face an Al-Ahli squad worth an estimated US$200 million (RM851 million) and boasting UEFA Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, but Hasebe said the huge transfer fees and salaries paid by Saudi clubs will mean little at kick-off. "The budget is a very important factor, but the players are not playing with their wallets or their credit cards," Hasebe told reporters. "The players play football on the pitch. Of course, money and the budget will affect things somehow, but football is played on the pitch." Kawasaki, whose annual wage bill is about a third of the US$59 million Mahrez is reported to earn each year, will be appearing in the final of the continental championship for the first time, having never previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals. An extra-time win over Qatar's Al-Sadd last Sunday took the four-time J-League champions into the last four before Hasebe's side pulled off a surprise 3-2 win over Al-Nassr on Wednesday. Al-Ahli will have the added advantage of playing the final in front of a stadium dominated by their own fans, although Hasebe believes his side could have the backing of a significant section of the sold-out crowd. About 300 Kawasaki fans made the 16-hour trip to Jeddah for the semi-finals and while more are expected to appear for the final, Hasebe is hoping to also gain support from elsewhere. "We don't have any big injuries, everyone is healthy and ready to play tomorrow," Hasebe said. "The fans from Al-Ahli will come to the stadium but I'm sure fans from other clubs in Saudi Arabia, their (Al-Ahli's) rivals like Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr, will come to the stadium. "I don't think all the Saudi people are supporting Al-Ahli. And we can't forget the people from Japan who have come as well. They will be supporting us as well. That's going to be very helpful." - REUTERS
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Players don't play with wallets says Kawasaki coach ahead of Asian final
JEDDAH - Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe dismissed the yawning financial chasm between his J-League club and big-spending Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli as the teams prepare to meet in Saturday's Asian Champions League Elite final. Kawasaki qualified for the decider at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ahli's home ground, on Wednesday with an against-the-odds win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Hasebe now has his eye on claiming another big victim. His side face an Al-Ahli squad worth an estimated $200 million and boasting UEFA Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, but Hasebe said the huge transfer fees and salaries paid by Saudi clubs will mean little at kick-off. "The budget is a very important factor, but the players are not playing with their wallets or their credit cards," Hasebe told reporters. "The players play football on the pitch. Of course, money and the budget will affect things somehow, but football is played on the pitch." Kawasaki, whose annual wage bill is about a third of the $59 million Mahrez is reported to earn each year, will be appearing in the final of the continental championship for the first time, having never previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals. An extra-time win over Qatar's Al-Sadd last Sunday took the four-times J-League champions into the last four before Hasebe's side pulled off a surprise 3-2 win over Al-Nassr on Wednesday. Al-Ahli will have the added advantage of playing the final in front of a stadium dominated by their own fans, although Hasebe believes his side could have the backing of a significant section of the sold-out crowd. About 300 Kawasaki fans made the 16-hour trip to Jeddah for the semi-finals and while more are expected to appear for the final, Hasebe is hoping to also gain support from elsewhere. "We don't have any big injuries, everyone is healthy and ready to play tomorrow," Hasebe said. "The fans from Al-Ahli will come to the stadium but I'm sure fans from other clubs in Saudi Arabia, their (Al-Ahli's) rivals like Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr, will come to the stadium. "I don't think all the Saudi people are supporting Al-Ahli. And we can't forget the people from Japan who have come as well. They will be supporting us as well. That's going to be very helpful." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
02-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Players don't play with wallets says Kawasaki coach ahead of Asian final
JEDDAH :Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe dismissed the yawning financial chasm between his J-League club and big-spending Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli as the teams prepare to meet in Saturday's Asian Champions League Elite final. Kawasaki qualified for the decider at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ahli's home ground, on Wednesday with an against-the-odds win over Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Hasebe now has his eye on claiming another big victim. His side face an Al-Ahli squad worth an estimated $200 million and boasting UEFA Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, but Hasebe said the huge transfer fees and salaries paid by Saudi clubs will mean little at kick-off. "The budget is a very important factor, but the players are not playing with their wallets or their credit cards," Hasebe told reporters. "The players play football on the pitch. Of course, money and the budget will affect things somehow, but football is played on the pitch." Kawasaki, whose annual wage bill is about a third of the $59 million Mahrez is reported to earn each year, will be appearing in the final of the continental championship for the first time, having never previously progressed beyond the quarter-finals. An extra-time win over Qatar's Al-Sadd last Sunday took the four-times J-League champions into the last four before Hasebe's side pulled off a surprise 3-2 win over Al-Nassr on Wednesday. Al-Ahli will have the added advantage of playing the final in front of a stadium dominated by their own fans, although Hasebe believes his side could have the backing of a significant section of the sold-out crowd. About 300 Kawasaki fans made the 16-hour trip to Jeddah for the semi-finals and while more are expected to appear for the final, Hasebe is hoping to also gain support from elsewhere. "We don't have any big injuries, everyone is healthy and ready to play tomorrow," Hasebe said. "The fans from Al-Ahli will come to the stadium but I'm sure fans from other clubs in Saudi Arabia, their (Al-Ahli's) rivals like Al-Hilal or Al-Nassr, will come to the stadium. "I don't think all the Saudi people are supporting Al-Ahli. And we can't forget the people from Japan who have come as well. They will be supporting us as well. That's going to be very helpful."
