The first time was so nice, Al Ahli just had to do it twice.
For the second year running, the Roshn Saudi League side are champions of the continent, Matthias Jaissle’s men becoming the first since city rivals Al Ittihad more than two decades ago to secure back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles.
That they did it in front of almost 60,000 at their stunning Alinma Stadium was all the better, the Al Ahli faithful roaring their team to a 1-0, extra-time victory against Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia.
And it was a super Saudi Arabia who sealed it, Feras Al Buraikan prodding home Franck Kessie’s cushion from a Riyad Mahrez cross. The clock read 96 minutes, but 10-man Al Ahli – Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off midway through the half – held on.
Feras Al Buraikan's winner v Machida Zelvia seals Al Ahli a second successive ACL Elite trophy
In the first two iterations of the continent’s rebranded premier club competition, Al Ahli – and the RSL and Saudi football – have reigned supreme.
“I’m just really proud of what the team achieved,” said Jaissle, now the only manager in history to guide teams to successive Asian Champions League crowns. “How every player was committed to the journey. This year was special because we needed to overcome more obstacles along the way.
“Obviously a part of [winning again] was because we played here in Jeddah in front of our fans who pushed us and gave us extra energy. To win it back-to-back is something historic.”
The Al Ahli fans display an incredible tifo before AFC Champions League Elite final v Machida Zelvia
The visibly spent German, who was reduced to tears upon the final whistle, added: “Feels a bit weird; my tank is a bit empty. So much relief, because the pressure was on.
“It will take a couple of days for this to sink in, but we still have matches in the league and we still want to progress ahead of the teams in front of us.”
Al Ahli, who 12 months ago defeated another Japanese side in the final in Kawasaki Frontale, resume their RSL campaign on Wednesday, in the huge clash at leaders Al Nassr. With five rounds remaining, Al Ahli are third, 10 points off Cristiano Ronaldo and Co at the top of the table.
Al Ahli manager Matthias Jaissle creates history as first coach to win back-to-back ACL titles
However, on Saturday night at least, this was all about Al Ahli, now two-time Asian champions.
“We knew we were facing opponents who are so disciplined when out of possession,” Jaissle said. “We had opportunities to score, but it became harder after Hawsawi was sent off for an unnecessary action [the defender was shown a straight red for thrusting his head into an opponent].
“But we showed the right mentality and the players kept believing, and that makes me so proud as a coach.
“We talked about it at the break that, with a man down, we had to suffer more and work harder. However, we have quality players who can make one moment count.”
