#ACLElite success celebrated ahead of showpiece Final

Sat, 03 May, 2025

#ACLElite success celebrated ahead of showpiece Final

Jeddah: The Asian football family was brought together on Friday evening at the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2025 Celebration Night as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) commemorated the inaugural season of its revamped club competitions.

Held at the Ritz-Carlton Jeddah Hotel on the eve of the ACL Elite 2024/25 Final between Al Ahli Saudi FC and Kawasaki Frontale, the special evening brought together over 200 guests, including representatives from the AFC’s Member Associations and all clubs participating in both men’s and women’s club competitions.

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Final - Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Sun, 04 May, 2025

Final - Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC and Kawasaki Frontale are all set for their showdown in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025, with both equally determined to lift their hands on the coveted trophy on Saturday. 

Both are are chasing their maiden title, with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli having twice fallen in the final while this will be Japanese side Frontale’s first appearance in the tournament decider. 

Al Ahli, with 11 wins and one draw in 12 matches on the continent this season and with home ground advantage, will start as the favourites but Frontale cannot be discounted, not after their stunning performances at Jeddah 2025.  

Wakizaka: Title vital for Frontale on all levels

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Wakizaka: Title vital for Frontale on all levels

Jeddah: Yasuto Wakizaka is counting on success for Kawasaki Frontale in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 to be a kickstarter for the club to achieve higher recognition.

The club captain - who has been with the Japanese side since 2018 - wants Frontale to become a household name on the continental level and beyond and sees the final against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC as a great chance towards achieving it.

Al Ahli’s Mahrez aiming to complete unique treble

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Al Ahli’s Mahrez aiming to complete unique treble

Jeddah: Riyad Mahrez is determined to add the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 title to his collection of trophies from other continents when Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC face Kawasaki Frontale of Japan in the final on Saturday.

The forward won numerous honours with Manchester City - including the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League - as well as the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria and the right winger now has the opportunity to add the biggest club trophy in Asia into his impressive collection.

Know Your Coach: Shigetoshi Hasebe (Kawasaki Frontale)

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Know Your Coach: Shigetoshi Hasebe (Kawasaki Frontale)

Jeddah: Shigetoshi Hasebe’s tactical acumen has led Kawasaki Frontale to within one match of a maiden AFC Champions League Elite™ title and the head coach has vowed he will spare no effort to come out tops in their showdown with Al Ahli Saudi FC at the Finals Jeddah 2025 on Saturday.

Hasebe has seamlessly stepped into the role at Frontale, replacing the legendary Toru Oniki, who steered the Japanese side to four J1 League titles, two Emperor’s Cup, one J League Cup and four Japanese Super Cups. 

Oniki’s regret was not being able to add the AFC Champions League trophy to the Frontale cabinet but Hasebe - who took charge at the beginning of the 2025 J1 League season - has the perfect chance to end the wait. 

Know Your Coach: Matthias Jaissle (Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Know Your Coach: Matthias Jaissle (Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle is one match away from steering Al Ahli Saudi FC to a near-perfect AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign as he prepares to lead the Saudi Arabian club to glory in the final against Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

The German tactician has overseen a remarkable campaign, with Al Ahli having won 11 and drawn one of the 12 matches they have played on the continental stage this season.

Road to Final: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Thu, 01 May, 2025

Road to Final: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Jeddah: Kawasaki Frontale will appear in the AFC Champions League Elite™ final for the first time after an impressive campaign.

The Japanese side did not advance past the quarter-final stage in their previous five appearances and as they get set to face Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 on Saturday, the-AFC.com takes a look at their journey to the decider.

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Fri, 02 May, 2025

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC ended a 13-year wait by advancing to the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025.

Al Ahli have been in fine form on the continental stage and as they prepare to take on Japan's Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, the-AFC.com retraces the Saudi Arabian club's journey to the final.