In the thrilling second leg of the AFC Champions League Final on May 25, 2024, Al Ain defeated Yokohama F. Marinos with a resounding 5-1 victory, securing the trophy for the second time in their history. The hosts, under the leadership of Hernan Crespo, put on a dominant performance, with two goals from Soufiane Rahimi, a Kaku penalty, and Kodjo Laba’s late double ensuring a 6-3 aggregate win after Yokohama goalkeeper William Popp was shown a red card just before halftime. Al Ain, the most successful club in the United Arab Emirates, previously won the Champions League in 2003 and were runners-up in 2005 and 2016.
Harry Kewell’s Yokohama team aimed to become the fourth Japanese winners of the tournament, following in the footsteps of Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers, and three-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds. This victory held special significance for Crespo, who had experienced heartbreak in the 2005 European Champions League final as a player for AC Milan. Facing off against Kewell’s Liverpool, Crespo had scored twice before ultimately losing on penalties. Determined to come out on top this time, Crespo had promised a challenging match for Yokohama, and the atmosphere at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium was electric as fans eagerly awaited the showdown.
In the scorching heat of over 30 degrees Celsius, Al Ain took an early lead in the ninth minute, with a goal from tournament top-scorer Rahimi. The home team doubled their advantage in the 34th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Rahimi in the box, which Kaku converted with precision. Despite Yokohama’s efforts to level the score, including a goal from Matheus, Al Ain maintained their lead going into half-time. The match took a turn for the worse for Yokohama when goalkeeper Popp received a red card for a foul on Rahimi, leaving them with a numerical disadvantage in the second half.
After the break, Al Ain capitalized on Yokohama’s depleted defense, with Rahimi and Laba adding to the scoreline and sealing an impressive victory. The relentless pressure from Al Ain proved too much for Yokohama, who struggled to contain the attacking prowess of their opponents. The match extended to an extraordinary 62 minutes due to injury time, during which Al Ain continued to dominate and secure their place in the Club World Cup. With this triumph, Al Ain not only celebrated their success in the Asian Champions League but also proved their prowess against neighboring Saudi Arabian teams, including Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, whom they defeated in the quarter-finals.
As Al Ain basked in the glory of their monumental victory, they looked ahead to the future with anticipation, eager to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup in the United States. The team’s impressive performance and strategic gameplay under Crespo’s guidance had earned them a well-deserved place among the top clubs in Asia. Fans rejoiced in the celebrations as Al Ain lifted the trophy once again, marking a historic moment in the club’s journey to success. With a strong foundation of talent and determination, Al Ain had showcased their ability to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious on the grand stage of the AFC Champions League Final.
