Al Ain Triumphs In AFC Champions League, Securing Historic Second Title

Doubles from Soufiane Rahimi and Kodjo Laba propelled Al Ain FC to clinch the AFC Champions League 2023/24 title with a 5-1 victory over Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of the final at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday. The J1 League side had previously won the first leg 2-1 in Yokohama.

Al Ain's second-half performance ensured they became the last team to win the competition under its current brand before the launch of the AFC Champions League Elite next year. This triumph marks Al Ain’s second title in the competition, having first won it in 2002-03.

Following their continental success, Al Ain will represent Asia at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, joining Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, and Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD at the US tournament next year. Al Ain had previously lost finals to Al Ittihad in 2005 and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2016.

Yokohama F. Marinos started aggressively, aiming to extend their one-goal advantage from the first leg. Anderson Lopes tested Al Ain goalkeeper Khaled Eisa within two minutes, but his shot was saved. However, it was Al Ain who took the lead with Rahimi’s strike in the eighth minute.

Rahimi's pace continued to trouble Marinos' defence. He forced Shinnosuke Hatanaka into committing a foul inside the box, leading to a penalty kick confirmed by VAR. Alejandro Romero (Kaku) converted it to put Al Ain 2-0 ahead on the night.

Al Ain nearly extended their lead seven minutes before halftime when Rahimi's left-footed shot hit the side netting. Marinos equalised on aggregate in the 40th minute through Yan Matheus, who capitalised on a mistake by Kouame Kouadio.

Marinos were reduced to ten men before halftime when goalkeeper William Popp received a red card for fouling Rahimi outside the penalty box. Hernan Crespo introduced striker Laba for full-back Saeed Jumaa after the restart.

Al Ain's attacking efforts paid off midway through the second half when Rahimi scored his second goal of the night. Laba initiated the move that led to Rahimi's strike, marking his 13th goal of the campaign and equalling a record for most goals in a single AFC Champions League season.

Final Moments

With ten minutes of added time, substitute Laba scored Al Ain's fourth goal after a mistake by substitute goalkeeper Fuma Shirasaka. Deep into added time, Laba added his second goal of the night and sealed a 6-3 aggregate victory for Al Ain.

Match Statistics

This victory solidifies Al Ain's position as one of Asia's top football clubs and sets high expectations for their future performances in international competitions.

With inputs from WAM