In a historic night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Al-Ahli secured their maiden AFC Champions League Elite title with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The Saudi Pro League side, driven by a raucous home crowd and standout performances from Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, overcame a resilient Japanese outfit to etch their name into Asian football history. This triumph marks the first time Al-Ahli have lifted the continent’s most prestigious club trophy, having fallen short in finals in 1986 and 2012.
The match began with Al-Ahli asserting early dominance, capitalizing on their home advantage. Just 12 minutes in, Mahrez, the tournament’s leading assist provider with eight, delivered a pinpoint pass to Firmino, who deftly slotted the ball past Kawasaki goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong. The Brazilian’s clinical finish ignited the 50,000-strong crowd, setting the tone for a high-octane encounter. Al-Ahli’s attacking intent was relentless, with Ivan Toney, who has scored six goals in the competition since joining in January, nearly doubling the lead when his header struck the crossbar in the 25th minute.
Kawasaki Frontale, appearing in their first-ever AFC Champions League final, showed resilience despite the financial disparity between the clubs. The J-League side, coached by Shigetoshi Hasebe, clawed their way back into the game just before halftime. Akihiro Ienaga’s clever flick found Yasuto Wakizaka, who rifled a low shot past Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to level the score. The equalizer silenced the Jeddah crowd momentarily, as Kawasaki’s tactical discipline and quick transitions threatened to derail Al-Ahli’s dreams.
The second half saw Al-Ahli regroup under the guidance of coach Matthias Jaissle, who has transformed the team since narrowly avoiding the sack in January. The German tactician’s faith in his squad was rewarded in the 67th minute when Mahrez, a UEFA Champions League winner with Manchester City, curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner, restoring Al-Ahli’s lead. The Algerian’s nine goals in the tournament have been pivotal, and his moment of brilliance proved the difference. Despite late pressure from Kawasaki, including a near-miss from substitute Shin Yamada, Al-Ahli’s defense, marshaled by man-of-the-match Roger Ibanez, held firm to secure the victory.
The win is a landmark achievement for Al-Ahli, who have been unbeaten in all 12 matches of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite campaign. It also represents a personal triumph for Jaissle, whose strategic acumen and ability to galvanize a star-studded squad—including former Premier League stars Firmino, Toney, and Mahrez—have silenced doubters. Defender Ibanez praised the coach post-match, stating, “The coach has great support from us, the players. This win is for him and our incredible fans.”
For Mahrez and Firmino, the victory holds special significance, as they become the first players to win both the UEFA Champions League and the AFC Champions League, having previously triumphed with Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively. Mahrez, reflecting on the achievement, said, “This is a trophy in another continent, in Asia. We fought for every second to bring this to Al-Ahli.”
Kawasaki Frontale, despite the loss, earned plaudits for their spirited campaign. Having upset Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the semifinals, the Japanese side demonstrated that, as Hasebe noted, “players win games with their feet, not their wallets.” Their journey to the final, marked by extra-time heroics against Al-Sadd and a shock win over Al-Nassr, has cemented their status as a rising force in Asian football.
Al-Ahli’s victory caps a remarkable turnaround for a club that suffered relegation from the Saudi Pro League in 2022. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Jeddah-based side has reestablished itself as a powerhouse, with this continental crown adding to their nine domestic titles. The win also underscores the growing influence of Saudi football, with Al-Ahli becoming the third Roshn Saudi League club to claim the AFC Champions League, following Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad.