Al Ain secured their second Asian Champions League trophy, defeating Yokohama F Marinos with a resounding 5-1 victory in the second leg at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. This triumph comes 21 years after their initial win in 2003.
Despite trailing 2-1 after the first leg, Al Ain displayed remarkable resilience to claim a 6-3 aggregate victory. The club's determination to clinch the title was evident, especially after overcoming strong opponents like Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
Hernán Crespo, the Argentinian coach, inspired the team to this historic achievement, with Soufiane Rahimi and Kodjo Laba's stellar performances propelling Al Ain to glory. Rahimi's exceptional pace and skill constantly troubled the Marinos' defense, leading to a penalty kick converted by Alejandro Romero (Kaku) and a goal by Yahia Nader. The visitors briefly equalized, but a red card for their goalkeeper tilted the game in Al Ain's favor.
The hosts capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Laba sealing the victory with two goals in added time. This remarkable feat ensures Al Ain's participation as one of Asia's representatives at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
