Shaikh Salman commends Al Ain on securing #ACL 2023/24 title

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Shaikh Salman commends Al Ain on securing #ACL 2023/24 title

Kuala Lumpur: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has praised Al Ain FC after the United Arab Emirates side staged a 5-1 comeback victory over Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos to secure their second AFC Champions League™ title at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.

With Al Ain trailing 2-1 after falling in the first leg in Yokohama two weeks ago, the United Arab Emirates’ most successful club rebounded in serendipitous fashion to capture their second Continental club crown, adding to the title they won in the inaugural 2002/03 AFC Champions League™ edition as the showpiece makes way for the AFC Champions League Elite™ later this year.

Al Ain claim historic second title

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Al Ain claim historic second title

Al Ain: Doubles from Soufiane Rahimi and Kodjo Laba drove United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC to win the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 title following a 5-1 victory over Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of the final at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.

The J1 League side had won the first leg 2-1 in Yokohama, but a scintillating second-half performance from Al Ain meant the inaugural winners of the AFC Champions League in 2002-03 become also the last team to win it under the current format before the launch of the AFC Champions League Elite next year.

Following their continental triumph, Al Ain become Asia’s fourth representatives at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, joining Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD at the US tournament next year.

Al Ain's Rahimi wins MVP, Top Scorer awards

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Al Ain's Rahimi wins MVP, Top Scorer awards

Al Ain: Soufiane Rahimi won the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards, his 13 goals playing a pivotal role in Al Ain FC winning the title on Saturday.

The Moroccan scored twice in the 5-1 win against Yokohama F. Marinos in Saturday's second leg, as the side from the United Arab Emirates emerged winners for the second time after having lifted the title in the inaugural edition in 2003.

Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Pivotal reforms approved by AFC Competitions Committee

Al Ain: The AFC Competitions Committee underlined its determination to enhance Asian football after approving a host of key decisions in view of the strategic reforms to be introduced this year at its third meeting held in Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.

Led by Chairperson Dr. Tran Quoc Tuan, the Committee commenced proceedings by expressing their best wishes to Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos ahead of their epic showdown in the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ Final at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium tomorrow.

New AFC club competition brands inspired by richness of Asian football

Thu, 16 May, 2024

New AFC club competition brands inspired by richness of Asian football

Bangkok: A significant milestone was marked on Thursday by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) with the unveiling of the new look for its revamped club competitions, which will commence from the 2024/25 season.

Taking place at a prestigious ceremony following the conclusion of the 34th AFC Congress 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, a suite of dynamic brands was presented for each of the four new competitions: the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite), AFC Women’s Champions League™ (AWCL), AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) and AFC Challenge LeagueTM (ACGL).