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.

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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. 

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. 

‘Perfect’ Al Ahli delight Jaissle

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

‘Perfect’ Al Ahli delight Jaissle

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle paid tribute to his Al Ahli Saudi FC side after they stuck to the game plan to defeat Al Hilal SFC 3-1 to book their place in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Tuesday.

The head coach also applauded the fans, saying they played a huge role in the impressive semi-final result at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Toney calls for calm as Al Ahli eye maiden title

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Toney calls for calm as Al Ahli eye maiden title

Jeddah: Ivan Toney has promised Al Ahli Saudi FC will do all they can to lift the trophy after they cruised into the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 with a 3-1 win against Al Hilal SFC on Tuesday.

In a thoroughly dominant semi-final performance, Roberto Firmino and Toney struck in the first half, with Feras Al Brikan adding their third in second half stoppage tile after Salem Al Dawsari had pulled one back for Al Hilal. 

The impressive win took Al Ahli into their third continental final, having had to settle for runners-up finishes in 1985/86 and 2012, with the English forward assuring that that the Jeddah-based club will do their to finally lay their hands on the trophy on Saturday. 

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.

Jesus accepts Al Hilal were second best

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

Jesus accepts Al Hilal were second best

Jeddah: Jorge Jesus was a picture of dejection after his Al Hilal SFC side were knocked out of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 by Al Ahli Saudi FC on Tuesday.

The 3-1 semi-final defeat was a bitter pill for the head coach to swallow who, however, admitted his team were second best at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium with Al Hilal suffering a last four stage exit for the second successive season.

#BeachSoccerWC - Preview

Wed, 30 Apr, 2025

#BeachSoccerWC - Preview

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 kicks off on Thursday with AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ 2025 champions Islamic Republic of Iran leading Asia’s charge for the title.

Iran are joined by Oman and Japan in the Finals with all three seeking to become the first side from the continent to land the biggest prize on sand, so join the-AFC.com as we take a closer look at each group.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

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.

Know Your Team: Oman

Mon, 28 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: Oman

Kuala Lumpur: Oman are adamant that they will not be making up the numbers at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025.

The West Asian side turned heads at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 with a runners-up finish and buoyed by the achievement, are aiming to go far at the global showpiece.

Know Your Team: Japan

Sun, 27 Apr, 2025

Know Your Team: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 kicks off on Thursday and Japan will leave no stone unturned as they seek to land the big prize.

Disappointment at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 - where they failed to advance past the semi-finals - will fuel their motivation for a golden showing at the global showpiece.