Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2024/25

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Match officials confirmed for #ACLElite Final 2024/25

Jeddah: Qatar’s Abdulrahman Al-Jassim will take charge of the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2024/25 Final on Saturday evening at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium between Al Ahli Saudi FC and Kawasaki Frontale.

It is the second time that Al-Jassim has been appointed as the main referee for the Final of Asia’s elite men’s club competition, following the AFC Champions League™ 2020 finale between Persepolis FC and Ulsan HD FC.

Know Your Coach: Matthias Jaissle (Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Know Your Coach: Matthias Jaissle (Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle is one match away from steering Al Ahli Saudi FC to a near-perfect AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign as he prepares to lead the Saudi Arabian club to glory in the final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

The German tactician has overseen a remarkable campaign, with Al Ahli having won 11 and drawn one of the 12 matches they have played on the continental stage this season.

Road to Final: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Road to Final: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Jeddah: Kawasaki Frontale will appear in the AFC Champions League Elite™ final for the first time after an impressive campaign.

The Japanese side did not advance past the quarter-final stage in their previous five appearances and as they get set to face Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Saturday, the-AFC.com takes a look at their journey to the decider.

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC ended a 13-year wait by advancing to the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025.

Al Ahli have been in fine form on the continental stage and as they prepare to take on Japan's Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, the-AFC.com retraces the Saudi Arabian club's journey to the final.

#ACLElite - Semi-finals: Facts & Figures

Thu, 01 May, 2025

#ACLElite - Semi-finals: Facts & Figures

Jeddah: The semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 more than lived up to expectations with both last four ties proving to be spectacular affairs.

As Al Ahli Saudi FC and Kawasaki Frontale prepare for Saturday's title decider at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, the-AFC.com takes a look at some facts and figures that caught the eye.

Youngster Ozeki lives up to expectations

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Youngster Ozeki lives up to expectations

Jeddah: Yuto Ozeki had a night to remember at the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 after he helped Kawasaki Frontale defeat Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Club 3-2 to take their place in Saturday’s final against Al Ahli Saudi FC.

Ozeki was one of Japan’s stars at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 and has now taken his game to the next level with his performances in Asia’s elite club competition.

The 20-year-old and fellow midfielders Yuki Yamamoto and Kento Tachibanada were tasked with keeping Marcelo Brozovic in check and they limited the Croatian to just 64 successful passes in the game, the fourth lowest the Al Nassr man has managed this campaign.

Hasebe hails Frontale’s fortitude

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Hasebe hails Frontale’s fortitude

Jeddah: Shigetoshi Hasebe praised Kawasaki Frontale’s fortitude after the Japanese side clinched a 3-2 victory against Al Nassr Club to reach the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

Goals from Tatsuya Ito, Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga sealed the win for the Japanese side, who held off a late Al Nassr fightback to make the final at the sixth time of trying, having not advanced past the quarter-finals previously. 

Mistakes cost us, says Al Nassr’s Pioli

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Mistakes cost us, says Al Nassr’s Pioli

Jeddah: Stefano Pioli admitted his side paid a heavy price for their mistakes after Al Nassr Club crashed out of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

Al Nassr went into their semi-final as the favourites but instead suffered a 3-2 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale, with the Japanese side advancing to the final for the first time in six attempts. 

Defeat for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr meant elimination at the last four stage for the third time since 2020.

Frontale’s Ito eyeing perfect homecoming

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Frontale’s Ito eyeing perfect homecoming

Jeddah: Scoring a breathtaking volley and playing a key role in the second goal earned Tatsuya Ito the player of the match award in Kawasaki Frontale’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

The win took Frontale into their first final and for Ito, who returned to the J.League this season for the first time in his senior career, the match carried extra meaning.

Frontale end Al Nassr’s dream to create more history

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Frontale end Al Nassr’s dream to create more history

Jeddah: Kawasaki Frontale clinched a well deserved spot in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 with a 3-2 win against Al Nassr Club at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Wednesday.

Frontale played brilliant counter attacking football to not only advance to the final for the first time but also end Al Nassr’s dream, with a thrilling showdown against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC next for the Japanese side on Saturday.