Firmino delighted to have created history with Al Ahli

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Firmino delighted to have created history with Al Ahli

Jeddah: Roberto Firmino was grinning from ear-to-ear after his man of the match performance helped Al Ahli Saudi FC win the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 title on Saturday.

It was the famous club’s first continental title and the Brazilian was ecstatic to have played his part in adding a new chapter to the club’s glorious history.

Jaissle: Al Ahli’s title is for the fans

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Jaissle: Al Ahli’s title is for the fans

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle paid equal tribute to the fans after Al Ahli Saudi FC were crowned AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 winners following a 2-0 win against Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

While Jaissle hailed his players for maintaining the high standards they have set throughout the campaign with another impressive display in the final, he was immensely thankful to the support from the stands as over 58,000 packed the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

We were not at our best, admits Frontale’s Hasebe

Sun, 04 May, 2025

We were not at our best, admits Frontale’s Hasebe

Jeddah: Head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe conceded that Kawasaki Frontale side were upstaged by a better Al Ahli Saudi FC in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Saturday.

Hasebe admitted that his Japanese side were not able to show the quality they had displayed in their previous two AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 matches - having convincingly beaten Qatar’s Al Sadd SC and Al Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia.

Al Ahli Saudi FC end title wait in style

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Al Ahli Saudi FC end title wait in style

Jeddah: First half strikes from Galeno and Franck Kessie steered Al Ahli Saudi FC to a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 in front of more than 58,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.

It was a richly deserved triumph, with the side from Saudi Arabia completing their campaign with an astonishing 12 wins and one draw to end their long wait for the continental title, having twice emerged runners-up.

It was heartbreak for Japan's Frontale, who were appearing in their maiden final but had to concede defeat to a superior Al Ahli.

Shaikh Salman lauds Al Ahli Saudi FC's historic #ACLElite triumph

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Shaikh Salman lauds Al Ahli Saudi FC's historic #ACLElite triumph

Jeddah: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Al Ahli Saudi FC after the Saudi Arabian club etched their name into the history books by lifting the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) 2024/25 trophy on Saturday.

On a historic night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Ahli Saudi FC defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in front of a capacity crowd of 58,281 fans to achieve Continental success for the first time in a thrilling finale to the inaugural season of Asia’s revamped men’s elite club competition.

Al Ahli’s Firmino named MVP

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Al Ahli’s Firmino named MVP

Jeddah:  Roberto Firmino was named as the Most Valuable Player of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after helping Al Ahli Saudi FC to the title on Saturday.

Firmino had an influential role in the final, setting up both goals as the Saudi Arabian side defeated Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 to lift their first Asian title.

Al Hilal's Al Dawsari wins top goalscorer honour

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Al Hilal's Al Dawsari wins top goalscorer honour

Jeddah: Salem Al Dawsari of Al Hilal SFC was named the Top Goalscorer of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Saturday.

Al Dawsari amassed 10 goals in the campaign with his Al Hilal SFC side exiting the competition at the semi-final stage following a 3-1 defeat to Saudi Pro League rivals and eventual champions Al Ahli Saudi FC.

Al Ahli's Mendy scoops Best Goalkeeper award

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Al Ahli's Mendy scoops Best Goalkeeper award

Jeddah: Eduoard Mendy was named the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Best Goalkeeper after Al Ahli Saudi FC defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the final on Saturday.

Having been a consistent performer throughout, Mendy was at his best at the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025, playing a huge role as the Saudi Arabian side won the title for the first time.

Al Hilal and Jesus part ways

Sat, 03 May, 2025

Al Hilal and Jesus part ways

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC have announced the departure of Jorge Jesus days after the Saudi Pro League side suffered elimination in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025.

The 70-year-old saw his side lose 3-1 to compatriots Al Ahli Saudi FC on Tuesday to fall short of a securing the club’s record-extending fifth continental club championship.

Group B: Paraguay 1-5 IR Iran

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Group B: Paraguay 1-5 IR Iran

Victoria: Islamic Republic of Iran put the shackles on Paraguay’s high-flying attack to register a second successive victory in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 at the Paradise Arena on Saturday.

The win confirmed Iran's quarter-final spot after two-time champions Portugal defeated Mauritania 8-4 in the later match, with the two victors - who are both on six points - to meet on Monday to decide the Group B winners.

Group A: Japan 3-6 Belarus

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Group A: Japan 3-6 Belarus

Victoria: Japan’s bid for a place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 knockout stage suffered a setback after they were beaten 6-3 by Belarus on Saturday.

The result means Belarus are top of Group A with six points while Japan are level with Guatemala - who defeated Seychelles 4-3 on three points.

Japan have to defeat Seychelles on Monday to stand a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

#WACFutsal2025 - The Group C cast

Sat, 03 May, 2025

#WACFutsal2025 - The Group C cast

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Tuesday with 12 teams targeting to be crowned champions.

With the action on our doorsteps, the-AFC.com takes a look at the Group C cast of Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and Bahrain. 

Saudi Arabia recommended as host of AFC U17 Asian Cup™ from 2026 to 2028

Sat, 03 May, 2025

Saudi Arabia recommended as host of AFC U17 Asian Cup™ from 2026 to 2028

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia have been selected as the hosts of the next three editions of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Committee at its fourth meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia today.

Following a comprehensive Bid Evaluation process as well as an overall risk assessment exercise, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) was selected by the Committee from among three bidders, which included the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Iraqi Football Association.