Ibanez: Focus powered Al Ahli into final

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Ibanez: Focus powered Al Ahli into final

Jeddah: Roger Ibanez attributed Al Ahli Saudi FC’s 3-1 success against Al Hilal SFC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday to the focus of every single player in the squad.

The Brazilian more than played his part in the win, not only in ensuring that Aleksandar Mitrovic had a quiet night but it was also his surging run in the 59th minute that led to Kalidou Koulibaly picking up his second yellow card of the game.

Ibanez, who was with Italian Serie A giants AS Roma prior to joining Al Ahli, also paid tribute to head coach Matthias Jaissle.

Sensational Al Ahli beat Al Hilal to book final spot

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Sensational Al Ahli beat Al Hilal to book final spot

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC were phenomenal as they emerged 3-1 winners against Al Hilal SFC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

Played in front of 50,613 fans, the last four tie was a classic with Al Ahli simply the better side as they reached the continental final for a third time, with either fellow Saudi Pro League rivals Al Nassr Club or Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale their opponents on Saturday, with first time winners to be crowned.

It was heartbreak for Al Hilal, who were reduced to 10 men just before the hour mark, as their campaign ended at the semi-final stage for the second successive season. 

Preview - SF: Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Preview - SF: Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Jeddah: Head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe will be out to prove that Kawasaki Frontale can stand toe-to-toe when they take on Al Nassr Club in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

It will be Frontale’s first appearance in the semi-finals with the club seeking to become only the fifth Japanese team to reach the final, following the footsteps of Yokohama F. Marinos, Kashima Antlers, Gamba Osaka and Urawa Red Diamonds.

Tachibanada playing for more than Frontale’s badge

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Tachibanada playing for more than Frontale’s badge

Jeddah: Kento Tachibanada will be drawing his motivation from the recent past as Kawasaki Frontale look to navigate past Al Nassr Club in the semi-final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old played a key role in Frontale’s 2023 Emperor’s Cup win against Kashiwa Reysol, which booked their place in the AFC Champions League Elite, and the midfielder wants their continental campaign - having reached the semi-finals for the first time - to continue.

Al Nassr’s Simakan ready for pivotal challenge

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Al Nassr’s Simakan ready for pivotal challenge

Jeddah: Mohamed Simakan is relishing the opportunity to shine at the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 as Al Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia get set to face Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in Wednesday’s semi-final.

The centre-back played an important role in keeping Yokohama F. Marinos’ forwards quiet during their quarter-final clash on Saturday and is determined to do the same against Frontale’s Erison and Shin Yamada.

Yamaguchi adamant Frontale will create more history

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Yamaguchi adamant Frontale will create more history

Jeddah: Kawasaki Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi has set his sights on securing a place in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 after helping the Japanese side advance to the semi-finals of the competition for the first time.

Yamaguchi and his teammates defeated Qatar's Al Sadd SC on Sunday to set up a last four encounter with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr Club and the 26-year-old is determined his team’s involvement will not come to an end against Cristiano Ronaldo and company.

S-final - Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN): Facts & Figures

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

S-final - Al Nassr Club (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN): Facts & Figures

Jeddah: Al Nassr Club and Kawasaki Frontale will be seeking to create history when they square off in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Wednesday.

It promises to be an enticing encounter at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and the-AFC.com picks out some key facts and figures from both sides.

Europe Wrap: Endo, Maeda celebrate title triumphs

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Europe Wrap: Endo, Maeda celebrate title triumphs

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Wataru Endo became the fourth Japanese player to win the English Premier League title on Sunday, following the exploits of Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki and Takumi Minamino.

Endo was joined by compatriot Daizen Maeda who helped Celtic win the Scottish Premiership, so join the-AFC.com as we follow the trail of Asian stars in Europe this past week.

Dababneh: Calm minds and teamwork behind Al Nassr’s eACL Elite success

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Dababneh: Calm minds and teamwork behind Al Nassr’s eACL Elite success

Jeddah: Amjad Othman M Alqarni and Sief Addeen Jaser Fahed Dababneh said a calm mind and great communication led to success as Al Nassr Club defeated Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC in the final of the inaugural AFC eChampions League Elite 2025 on Monday.

After a pulsating 4-3 victory in the first leg, Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr delivered a composed and clinical performance in the return fixture, securing a 3-2 result to seal a historic win.

Know Your Team: IR Iran

Tue, 29 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: IR Iran

Kuala Lumpur: Fresh from lifting the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 in March, Islamic Republic of Iran will shift their focus towards the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 that kicks off on Thursday.

Naderi Hossein’s side were unstoppable in Pattaya, defeating all before them - including beating Oman 8-1 in the final - to lift their fourth Asian title.