Al Ain has been topped champions of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League, securing the identify for the second one presen in its historical past. Their earlier win within the festival beneath its tide title used to be in 2003, 21 years in the past. Al Ain defeated Japan’s Yokohama Marinos 5-1 in the second one leg of the general at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, overcoming a 1-2 loss within the first leg in Japan. Targets for Al Ain have been scored by way of Soufiane Rahimi (two objectives at mins 8 and 67), Kaku (penalty at slight 34), and Laba Kodjo (two objectives at mins 2 and 5 of added presen). Yokohama’s purpose used to be scored by way of Yan Matheus within the fortieth slight. The fit noticed the expulsion of Eastern goalkeeper William Pope within the tenth slight of added presen of the primary part.
The primary part used to be intense and robust, with Yokohama unexpected Al Ain with competitive offensive play games initially of the fit. Anderson Lopes’s vulnerable shot used to be simply stuck by way of Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa within the 2d slight. Al Ain upcoming introduced their very own offensive, briefly passing the ball in midfield and forcing Yokohama to retreat. Al Ain’s first purpose got here from a well-organized play games, with Soufiane Rahimi passing to Yahia Nader, who returned it with a backheel to Rahimi, make happen a superbly orchestrated purpose.
The fit balanced out upcoming the purpose. Khalid Eisa made an error, giving Yokohama a probability that ended with a shot by way of Ken Matsubara within the seventeenth slight, which Eisa deflected for a nook. Al Ain were given their first nook within the twenty second slight, however the go used to be simply stuck by way of Yokohama’s goalkeeper William Pope. Intense bodily play games noticed gamers from either side fall incessantly, and Rahimi dedicated a nasty at the fringe of the penalty segment. Giovanni Aleer took an impressive shot, stored by way of Eisa within the twenty sixth slight.
Rahimi won a yellow card for simulation pace in the hunt for a penalty. Then again, VAR intervened, awarding Al Ain a penalty for a nasty on Rahimi by way of Shinnosuke Hatanaka, and the yellow card used to be rescinded. Kaku effectively transformed the penalty, giving Al Ain their 2d purpose within the thirty fourth slight. Al Ain persisted their offensive power, capitalizing on Yokohama’s disarray, and Rahimi just about added a 3rd within the thirty eighth slight however ignored the objective.
Kwame made a mistake with a easy ball, permitting Yan Matheus to attain for Yokohama within the fortieth slight, in brief reviving their hopes. The referee added 10 mins of stoppage presen within the first part, right through which Al Ain attempted to penetrate Yokohama’s protection with lengthy passes. Rahimi’s go to Palacios led to a robust shot stored by way of the Eastern goalkeeper, and Eisa made any other save towards an impressive Eastern shot. William Pope used to be despatched off within the tenth slight of stoppage presen for a nasty on Rahimi outdoor the penalty segment, with exchange goalkeeper Fuma Shirasaka approaching for Elber Da Silva.
Yokohama made a 2d substitution initially of the second one part to make amends for their numerical drawback, pace Al Ain saved their lineup unchanged. Yokohama retreated defensively, permitting Al Ain to keep watch over the sport. The Eastern goalpost stored them from an personal purpose within the 57th slight, and Laba Kodjo got here on to strengthen Al Ain’s assault within the 58th slight. Yokohama’s gamers started to turn indicators of fatigue, forcing their teacher to form a couple of adjustments to deal with Al Ain’s sturdy power.
Al Ain’s power paid off with a 3rd purpose within the 67th slight, a magnificient dribble and robust shot by way of Rahimi, sending Al Ain lovers into party. Al Ain persisted their offensive efficiency, pinning Yokohama of their part. A purpose by way of exchange Laba Kodjo used to be disallowed for offside within the 76th slight. Al Ain’s teacher made a pressured substitution because of Mohammed Abbas’s trauma within the 82nd slight, bringing on Ahmed Barman. The referee added 10 mins of stoppage presen, right through which Yokohama’s exchange goalkeeper made an error, permitting Laba Kodjo to attain Al Ain’s fourth purpose within the 2d slight of added presen. 3 mins upcoming, Kodjo added his 2d non-public and 5th workforce purpose. Barman stored Al Ain’s purpose from a 2d Eastern effort, sealing Al Ain’s respectable crowning as Asian champions.
Supply: Albayan Newspaer
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