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.

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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.

Milicic has plans for China PR

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Milicic has plans for China PR

Xianghe: Ante Milicic said his first order of business as the China PR women's national team head coach is to get to know his players.

The Australian, announced as head coach of the nine-time AFC Women's Asian Cup™ champions on May 11, said he will also focus on revamping China PR's style of play.

Japan legend Hasebe targets coaching career in Europe

Fri, 24 May, 2024

Japan legend Hasebe targets coaching career in Europe

Tokyo: Makoto Hasebe said on Friday he wants to become the first Japanese to coach in one of Europe's top leagues after the former national skipper retired from playing aged 40.

Hasebe ended his playing career after 17 seasons in Germany's Bundesliga when he came on as a substitute for Eintracht Frankfurt in their final match of the campaign last weekend.

It was his 384th game in the German top flight, taking him level with Poland's Robert Lewandowski and trailing only Peru's Claudio Pizarro for Bundesliga appearances among foreign players.