Shaikh Salman lauds Al Ahli Saudi FC’s historic triumph
JEDDAH, (PARAS AHMED): Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Al Ahli Saudi FC after the Saudi Arabian club etched their name into the history books by lifting the AFC Champions League Elite-2025 trophy here.
On a historic night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Ahli Saudi FC defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in front of a capacity crowd of 58,281 fans to achieve Continental success for the first time in a thrilling finale to the inaugural season of Asia’s revamped men’s elite club competition.
Brazilian forward Galeno broke the deadlock with a glorious curling effort into the top right corner on 35 minutes and Franck Kessie headed in a second seven minutes later as Matthias Jaissle’s side saw off their Japanese opponents.
Shaikh Salman said: “Our heartfelt congratulations go to Al Ahli Saudi FC for reaching the pinnacle of Asian club football with this historic victory. Their remarkable determination and consistency throughout the campaign are truly commendable.
“We must also praise Kawasaki Frontale for their fantastic run to the showpiece Final and contributing to a thoroughly entertaining spectacle befitting of this prestigious competition.”
The AFC President also highlighted the launch of the ACL Elite last August, part of sweeping reforms to the AFC’s club competitions – including the AFC Champions League Two™ and AFC Challenge League as well as the introduction of the AFC Women’s Champions League – marking a fresh new era of success.
“There’s no doubt that the AFC Champions League Elite-2025 has featured some of the most breathtaking, world-class matches between the Continent’s top teams we’ve ever seen, making it one of our most memorable seasons to date,” Shaikh Salman said.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to all our Participating Member Associations and Clubs, as well as to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leadership for their impeccable hosting of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025, as the unique centralised format added an extra level of excitement to the tournament.”
The AFC President added: “We have embarked on a bold and exciting journey to reshape the landscape of Asian club football. With our renewed commitment to excellence, I firmly believe that our club competitions will continue to evolve, delivering higher standards of performance, greater global recognition, and unforgettable experiences for our players, clubs and fans alike. The future holds great promise, and with each passing season, we will continue to push the boundaries of what Asian football can achieve.”
