Al Ain challenges Yokohama’s ambition in the Asian final
Sudan Events – Agencies
Al Ain will host Yokohama Marinos of Japan on Saturday, in the first leg of the AFC Champions League final.
The Emirati is seeking to achieve a positive result that will facilitate his mission in the return match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on May 25. In the current version, Al Ain is looking forward to achieving the second continental title after the 2003 edition, in its fourth appearance, in the final match after the years 2003, 2005 and 2016. The current award gives the champion an additional award, by obtaining a ticket to participate in the 2025 Club World Cup, representing the Asian continent alongside Al Hilal Saudi Arabia, Ulsan of South Korea, and Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. Al Ain passed its first group, which included Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, Al Fayhaa of Saudi Arabia, and Ahal of Turkmenistan, then passed its counterpart. Nassaf of Uzbekistan in the eighth final, by drawing in the first leg (0-0) and winning in the return (2-1), and also through Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia on its way to the semi-finals, by winning at home in the first leg (1-0), and losing the second leg (3-4), to draw the two teams (4-4).
Al Ain snatched qualification (3-1) on penalties and ousted defending champion Al Hilal Saudi Arabia on its way to the final by winning the first leg in Al Ain (4-2) and then losing the second leg in Riyadh (1-2).
On the other hand, Yokohama Marinos is looking forward to writing a new chapter in its rich history through its sixth appearance in the AFC Champions League, and the team is looking to win the title, having previously won the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup in 1992 and 1993, and with the ambition of the Japanese champion surpassing the group stage after 5 previous failed attempts. Its rivals in the group were Incheon United of South Korea, Kaya Iloilo of the Philippines, and Shandong Taishan of China. Then it beat Bangkok United of Thailand in the quarter-finals, drawing away from home in the first leg (2-2), and winning the return leg at home (1-0), and took revenge on Shandong Taishan in the quarter-finals. By winning away from home (2-1) and at home (1-0).
The Japanese team qualified to meet Ulsan Hyundai in the semi-finals, and lost to them away from home (1-0), but succeeded in winning at home in the return leg (3-2), and snatched the ticket to the final round by winning (5-4) on penalties.
