History Made as Al Ahli Win AFC Champions League
Al Ahli have made history by winning the AFC Champions League, defeating Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final. The Saudi Arabian club secured the win with goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie in the first half. This triumph marks a significant milestone for the club, with manager Mattias Jaissle expressing his pride and gratitude towards the team and fans.
According to TalkSPORT, the win also saw several high-profile players etch their names in history books. Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, and Roberto Firmino are now the only players to have won both the UEFA Champions League and the AFC Champions League. Mendy won the UEFA tournament with Chelsea in 2021, Mahrez claimed the same trophy in 2023 with Manchester City, and Firmino played a key role when Liverpool beat Tottenham to win the UEFA Champions League in 2019.
Firmino, who captained Al Ahli, was overjoyed with the win, stating that it was not easy to become champions, but the team had shown "monster mentality" to win all their games. "I am very happy and proud of the team, and of course very happy to make history here at this club," he said. "It is not easy to become champions. We fight every match, and I call it the monster mentality. When you have the monster mentality to win all the games, then you become champions."
Mahrez, who shared the moment with his daughter, echoed Firmino’s sentiments, saying that this was why they played football – to compete in matches like this. The Algerian winger has now won the UEFA Champions League and the AFC Champions League, a feat that few players have achieved.
The win also marked a significant moment for Al Ahli manager Mattias Jaissle, who had faced speculation about his future earlier in the year. However, the support of the fans helped him to turn the club’s fortunes around, and he was quick to thank them for their backing. "The incredible fans totally deserved this as well," Jaissle said. "It is nice to give something back to all the supporters, especially the ones who were always there, even when there were ups and downs."
Al Ahli’s journey to the title was impressive, with the team winning 12 of their 13 matches in the AFC Champions League campaign. Their only draw was a 2-2 stalemate with Iranian side Esteghlal in December during the group stages. Jaissle was full of praise for his team, saying that they had shown great personality throughout the competition.
The victory also saw former Premier League striker Ivan Toney pick up his first major trophy. Toney is part of the Al Ahli squad, which includes other recognizable names such as ex-Leeds star Ezgjan Alioski, Spanish talent Gabri Veiga, and former Serie A defenders Roger Ibanez and Merih Demiral.
As TalkSPORT reports, Al Ahli’s win is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. The Saudi Arabian club have made history by winning the AFC Champions League, and their players will cherish this moment for a long time.
The final whistle sparked joyous celebrations among the Al Ahli players and fans, with Mendy, Mahrez, and Firmino taking to social media to share their delight. The win is a significant achievement for the club, and it will be interesting to see how they build on this success in the future.
In related news, Al Ahli’s victory has sparked widespread celebrations in Saudi Arabia, with fans taking to the streets to mark the occasion. The team’s success is a boost to Saudi Arabian football, and it will be interesting to see how the country’s football landscape evolves in the coming months.
For more information, visit: TalkSPORT.
