Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli claim first Asian Champions League Elite title in club history

Al Ahli won their first Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite title after beating Kawasaki Frontale of Japan 2-0 in the final on Saturday.

The star-studded Jeddah club, playing at home in front of 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, cruised to what was a comfortable victory to complete an unbeaten tournament run.

First-half goals from Galeno and Franck Kessie put Saudi Arabia's two-time continental runners-up in full control against Japan's title-match debutants.

The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final were held in Jeddah, and Al Ahli rode a fervent wave of support from the home crowd.

The hosts were more aggressive from the outset and made their breakthrough after 35 minutes. Roberto Firmino fed Galeno outside the area and the Brazilian winger, signed from Porto in January for a reported $55 million, sent a curling shot into the top corner.

Three minutes before halftime, Firmino crossed from the right for Kessie, and the former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder headed home from close range. Firmino went on to earn the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.

Kawasaki, who knocked out Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the semifinals to reach their first final, pressured after the restart. But they struggled to create clear chances against a team boasting plenty of big-game experience.

Firmino, signed from Liverpool in 2023, is a past UEFA Champions League winner, as are his teammates Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, who lifted Europe's top club trophy with Manchester City and Chelsea, respectively.

Mahrez, with nine goals in the tournament, came close to adding a third before firing slightly wide late in the final.

The home fans were already celebrating.

"We are so proud. Once we knew that the final eight would be in Jeddah, it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans," Al Ahli goalkeeper Mendy said. "Since I came here 18 months ago, they have supported us so much. As I said when I signed, it was to make history, to win trophies, and to make this club as big as it was before."

Al Ahli are the third Saudi club to win the Asian Champions League after Jeddah rivals Al Ittihad and Riyadh's Al Hilal.