Al Ain beats Yokohoma F. Marinos in AFC Champions League final

The host trailed 2-1 from the away fixture but two goals from Soufiane Rahimi, a Kaku penalty and Kodjo Laba’s late double ensured a 6-3 aggregate victory for Al Ain.

Published : May 25, 2024 23:58 IST , United Arab Emirates - 1 MIN READ

Al Ain beats Yokohoma F Marinos in AFC Champions League final
Al Ain beats Yokohoma F Marinos in AFC Champions League final | Photo Credit: REUTERS
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Al Ain beats Yokohoma F Marinos in AFC Champions League final | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Hernan Crespo’s Al Ain steamrollered 10-man Yokohama F-Marinos 5-1 in the Asian Champions League final second leg to lift the trophy for the second time in their history on Saturday.

The host trailed 2-1 from the away fixture but two goals from Soufiane Rahimi, a Kaku penalty and Kodjo Laba’s late double ensured a 6-3 aggregate victory after Yokohama goalkeeper William Popp saw red just before half-time.

Al Ain, the oil-rich United Arab Emirates’ most successful club, won the inaugural Champions League final in 2003 and were runners-up in 2005 and 2016.

Harry Kewell’s Yokohama were attempting to become the fourth Japanese winners after Gamba Osaka, Kashima Antlers and three-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds.

The win will be all the sweeter for Crespo after the 2005 European Champions League final, when the ex-Argentina international scored twice for AC Milan before Kewell’s Liverpool came back to win on penalties.

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