History was forged under the Jeddah lights tonight as the much-anticipated Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale clash culminated in a landmark victory for the home side. Al Ahli Saudi claimed their first-ever Asian Champions League Title, overcoming Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in a decisive AFC Championship Elite final at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
This victory in the Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale encounter marks a historic first for the Saudi giants on the continental stage, achieved before nearly 60,000 jubilant fans. Goals from Galeno and Franck Kessié in a dominant first-half display secured the coveted trophy, signifying Al Ahli’s arrival among Asia’s footballing royalty. The Al Ahli vs Kawasaki Frontale match was a testament to their recent transformation.
Jeddah Roars as Al Ahli Finally Clinch Asian Champions League Title
In a cauldron of noise and anticipation, Al Ahli banished the ghosts of finals past from the 1986 and 2012 AFC Championship Elite campaigns. There was palpable tension surrounding this specific Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale fixture, but this expensively assembled squad delivered a performance brimming with confidence and control, finally etching their name onto the Asian Champions League Title.
Historic AFC Championship Elite Win for Al Ahli
This 2-0 victory wasn’t just another win; it represented the culmination of significant investment and ambition following the club’s PIF takeover in 2023. Their meteoric rise from relegation three years ago is capped by this continental triumph. They now join city rivals Al-Ittihad and Riyadh giants Al-Hilal as Saudi winners of Asia’s premier club competition. The result of the Al Ahli vs Kawasaki Frontale final underscores their emergence as a major force.
Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale Showdown
Al Ahli, spurred on by the fervent home crowd, started the Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale final like a team possessed. Within five minutes, Ivan Toney forced a sharp save from Louis Yamaguchi. From the corner, Yamaguchi produced heroics again, blocking Ziyad Al-Johani’s close-range effort.
Kawasaki, conquerors of Al Nassr, weathered the early onslaught and threatened briefly when Marcinho slalomed through but shot wide in the 11th minute – a rare attacking foray for the visitors in the first half.
Al Ahli regained control, with Toney and Roger Ibañez going close before the inevitable breakthrough. In the 35th minute, Kawasaki lost possession cheaply. Roberto Firmino found Galeno 25 yards out, and the Brazilian unleashed a spectacular curling strike into the top corner. A goal worthy of the AFC Championship Elite final stage.
Seven minutes later, disaster struck for Kawasaki. With Sota Miura injured off-field, Al Ahli capitalized. Firmino again turned provider, bursting down the right and crossing for Franck Kessié to power home a header, doubling the lead before half-time.
The second half saw Kawasaki push for a way back. Substitutes Sai van Wermeskerken and Tatsuya Ito had half-chances, but Al Ahli’s defence, marshalled superbly by Ibañez and Merih Demiral, held firm. Édouard Mendy remained largely untroubled as Al Ahli managed the game professionally, seeing out the victory to claim the Asian Champions League Title.
Tactical Battle: Al Ahli SFC vs Frontale Dynamics
This Al Ahli SFC vs Frontale contest was a fascinating tactical battle. Al Ahli’s individual quality and attacking firepower, orchestrated by the deeper-lying Firmino, ultimately proved too much for Kawasaki’s disciplined, collective approach. The Japanese side aimed to stay compact and counter, but struggled to sustain pressure or penetrate Al Ahli’s robust defence. The second goal, scored against ten men, highlighted Al Ahli’s clinical edge in punishing errors during the crucial Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale match.
Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale Player Ratings
Al Ahli Saudi:
- Édouard Mendy (7/10): Commanding presence, though largely untested. Yellow card late on.
- Ali Majrashi (6/10): Solid defensively after an early scare from Marcinho.
- Merih Demiral (7/10): Physically dominant, made key clearances. Yellow carded.
- Roger Ibañez (8/10): Imperious at the back, calm in possession, crucial late block.
- Ezgjan Alioski (6/10): Provided attacking width, diligent defensively.
- Franck Kessié (8/10): Bossed the midfield, scored the vital second goal with a trademark burst.
- Ziyad Al Johani (7/10): Tireless energy, unlucky not to score early. Yellow carded.
- Riyad Mahrez (7/10): A constant threat with his dribbling, linked play well.
- Roberto Firmino (9/10): Man of the Match. Sublime performance, pulled the strings, two assists. Tournament MVP.
- Galeno (8/10): Sensational opening goal, pace troubled Kawasaki throughout.
- Ivan Toney (7/10): Led the line well, physical presence, forced early saves.
- Subs: Gabri Veiga (6/10), Feras Al Brikan (6/10), Alexsander (N/A), Fahad Al Rashidi (N/A).
Kawasaki Frontale:
- Louis Yamaguchi (7/10): Excellent early saves prevented a rout. No chance with the goals.
- Asahi Sasaki (6/10): Had a tough evening against Galeno.
- Kota Takai (6/10): Battled bravely but couldn’t stem the tide.
- Yuichi Maruyama (6/10): Found Al Ahli’s movement difficult to handle.
- Sota Miura (5/10): Injury absence proved costly for the second goal. Substituted.
- So Kawahara (5/10): Couldn’t prevent Galeno’s strike, struggled in the midfield battle.
- Yuki Yamamoto (6/10): Neat passer but limited impact. Substituted.
- Yasuto Wakizaka (6/10): Tried to create, but was often crowded out.
- Akihiro Ienaga (5/10): The Veteran couldn’t impose himself on the game. Substituted.
- Marcinho (6/10): Kawasaki’s brightest spark missed their best opportunity.
- Erison (5/10): Starved of service and well-marshalled. Substituted at HT.
- Subs: Sai van Wermeskerken (6/10), Shin Yamada (6/10), Tatsuya Ito (6/10), Yuto Ozeki (6/10), Hinata Yamauchi (N/A).
Jubilation and Heartbreak Post-Al Ahli vs Kawasaki Frontale
The final whistle unleashed pure pandemonium among the Al Ahli faithful. Players embraced, fireworks lit the Jeddah sky, and the “raucous” stadium celebrated a night years in the making. Firmino spoke of a “monster mentality,” while Mendy emphasized the goal “to make history” in front of the passionate supporters after the Al Ahli vs Kawasaki Frontale victory. For Kawasaki, there was quiet deflation – pride in their journey, but ultimate disappointment.
27 June 2022 – relegated to Division One
3 May 2025 – crowned Champions of Asia
What a turnaround for Al Ahli.
[📷 via @ALAHLI_FCEN]#yallaRSL | #RoshnSaudiLeague | @SPL_EN pic.twitter.com/6hmoWIqi2t
— Arab News | Sport (@ArabNewsSport) May 3, 2025
Al Ahli Join Elite After Asian Champions League Title Win
Al Ahli’s name is now engraved on the Asian Champions League Title, joining Saudi rivals Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal. Their journey from the second tier to kings of Asia in just three years is a stunning narrative, powered by significant investment and stellar recruitment. This triumph in the AFC Championship Elite firmly establishes them on the continental map.
Al Ahli SFC vs Kawasaki Frontale Match Statistics
- Possession: Al Ahli 47.9% – Kawasaki Frontale 52.1%
- Shots on Goal: Al Ahli 7 – Kawasaki Frontale 0
- Total Shots: Al Ahli 17 – Kawasaki Frontale 7
- Corners: Al Ahli 2 – Kawasaki Frontale 3
- Fouls: Al Ahli 12 – Kawasaki Frontale 11
- Yellow Cards: Al Ahli 3 – Kawasaki Frontale 0
- Red Cards: Al Ahli 0 – Kawasaki Frontale 0
- Saves: Al Ahli 0 – Kawasaki Frontale 5
This historic Asian Champions League Title provides immense momentum for Al Ahli domestically as they pursue Saudi Pro League glory. It’s a validation of their ambitious project. Kawasaki Frontale return to J.League duties with heads held high after an impressive AFC Championship Elite campaign, albeit acutely aware of the challenge posed by Asia’s financial heavyweights following the Al Ahli Saudi vs Kawasaki Frontale final.
