Al Ain FC - Road to the #ACL Final

Thu, 09 May, 2024

Al Ain FC - Road to the #ACL Final

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain return to the AFC Champions League™ final for the fourth time in their history after 2002-03, 2005 and 2016, having won the inaugural title then lost to Al Ittihad and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors respectively.

Ahead of the first leg of the Emirati giants’ encounter with Yokohama F. Marinos, the-AFC.com reviews Al Ain’s journey to the 2023/24 final, which saw them eliminate some of the biggest teams in Asia to reach this stage.

Kewell relishing stepping into the unknown with Yokohama

Wed, 08 May, 2024

Kewell relishing stepping into the unknown with Yokohama

Yokohama: Harry Kewell will be taking a step into the unknown when he leads his Yokohama F. Marinos side into the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 final against Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates at the Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday.

The former Liverpool and Australia winger has vast experience from his playing days to draw on as he primes his squad for the continental final, but even for someone with Kewell’s background the upcoming two-legged decider represents a new frontier.

Al Ain in the #ACL

Wed, 08 May, 2024

Al Ain in the #ACL

Riyadh: The United Arab Emirates’ most successful club, Al Ain, return to the AFC Champions League™ final for the fourth time in their history, facing the challenge of Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the 2023/24 edition.

Among West Asian clubs, only two (Al Hilal and Al Sadd) have played in the AFC Champions League more than Al Ain, and only Al Hilal have contested the knockout stages of the competition more times than the Emirati powerhouse. Ahead of the first leg of the final, the-AFC.com revisits Al Ain’s journey in the continental competition over the past two decades.

Yokohama F. Marinos in the #ACL

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Yokohama F. Marinos in the #ACL

Kuala Lumpur: Yokohama F. Marinos will become the fourth Japanese side to feature in the AFC Champions League™ final when they take on Al Ain FC in the main event of the 2023/24 edition.

Three-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds, along with Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers – who have won the title once apiece – have all lifted the trophy meaning Yokohama will also become the fourth J1 League side to be crowned champions should they overcome their Emirati opponents.
 
With the first leg of the final to take place at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday, the-AFC.com looks back at the Marinos’ history in the continent’s premier club competition.

#ACL Final: 5 Classic 1st Legs

Tue, 07 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 5 Classic 1st Legs

Riyadh: The Yokohama Internatinoal Stadium plays host to the AFC Champions League 2023-24™ final first leg between Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain, bringing to a close a two-decade long era in Asia’s top club competition.

Twenty years earlier, Al Ain were also involved in the final, and with clubs moving into the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 as of next season, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable final first legs.

#ACL - Hall of Fame

Mon, 06 May, 2024

#ACL - Hall of Fame

Kuala Lumpur: Yokohama F. Marinos and Al Ain FC will battle for the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 title over the coming days, with the first leg of the final to be played on Saturday.

Both will be determined to lift the trophy in the final season of the AFC Champions League in its present format, with a new three-tier club system to be introduced from the 2024/25 season.