President Sheikh Mohamed leads congratulations on Al Ain’s Asian Champions League victory

Celebrations across the Emirates after 5-1 victory over Yokohama F Marinos

Al Ain players and coaching staff celebrate after beating Yokohama F Marinos to win the AFC Champions League on May 25, 2024. Al Ain won 5-1 at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and 6-3 on aggregate. All images: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two-goal hero and man of the match Soufiane Rahimi celebrates victory.

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo celebrates with the trophy.

Al Ain celebrate their victory at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain celebrate their victory at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain celebrate their victory at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo celebrates the win.

Al Ain players celebrate after the match.

Soufiane Rahimi after scoring his second of the match and Al Ain's third.

Kaku scores Al Ain's second goal from the spot.

Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo.

Soufiane Rahimi celebrates after scoring for Al Ain to make it 1-0 on the night.

Yokohama' goalkeeper William Popp after being sent off.

Yokohama's Australian manager Harry Kewell.

Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi after scoring his second of the match.

Al Ain's Kaku celebrates after scoring.

Yokohama's Yan Matheus celebrates after scoring.

Soufiane Rahimi scores for Al Ain.

Yokohama's Yan Matheus after scoring.

Al Ain fans before the game at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Yokohama fans before the game at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain fans head to the stadium.

Al Ain fans ahead of the AFC Champions League final second leg.

Yokohama fans at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

An Al Ain fan outside Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Yokohama fans in the stadium before the game.

President Sheikh Mohamed led congratulations for Al Ain football club after the team overcame Yokohama to win the Asian Champions League final on Saturday, with a 5-1 win on the night, and a 6-3 victory on aggregate.

Sheikh Mohamed praised the side’s “outstanding performance and high spirits”, saying “the victory is a moment of great pride for their fans and the whole nation”.

“I applaud the efforts of the players and coaches for this historic achievement that will inspire further sporting success,” he said in a post on X.

“This tournament represents a major achievement for Emirati sports, and an incentive for more achievements in various sporting forums.

“I also praise the performance of the Japanese Yokohama Marinos team and the sportsmanship that prevailed in the match, which embodied the true goal of such competitions,” he said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also hailed the victory of Al Ain, saying on X: “Congratulations to the President and our people for Al Ain’s victory in the Asian Cup.”

“A beautiful match … a fighting spirit … a well-deserved victory.”

“Beautiful memories of the superiority of Emirati football have returned today,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, congratulated Al Ain players, management and fans on the impressive victory.

In a message on X, he said the continental triumph had made "the people of the Emirate happy".

Sheikh Mansour commended the sportsmanship displayed by their Japanese opponents throughout the tie.

Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the President, said that Al Ain’s win has “drawn happiness into the heart of every Emirati through this honourable achievement”.

“Congratulations from the heart for Al Ain club’s well-deserved historic victory in the AFC Champions League and its place on the throne of the continent.”

More than 20,000 home fans cheered on Al Ain at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday evening.

Al Ain had 70 per cent possession and dominated parts of the game.

At the final whistle, there were tears of joy everywhere among the Ainawi.