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Yokohama v Al Ain: How UAE club reached the Asian Champions League final

Al Ain topped their group before overcoming Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and an Al Hilal side riding a 34-game win streak in the knockout stages

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings

May 07, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Al Ain play Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in this month's two-legged Asian Champions League final.

The UAE club, the only Emirati side to be crowned Asian champions, contest the first leg in Tokyo on Saturday, May 11. The return match takes place at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on May 25.

After topping their group, Al Ain's path to the final was far from easy, with Saudi powerhouses Al Nassr, led by five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, and Al Hilal, the four-time champions of Asia riding a 34-match win streak, their quarter-final and semi-final opponents respectively.

Here is a look back on Al Ain's path to the final:

Group stage

Al Ain finished top of Group A with 15 points after an impressive campaign that saw them win five of six matches with one defeat.

A 3-0 victory over Pakhtakor away in Uzbekistan in their opening game set the tone and was followed up with a 4-2 win over Turkmenistan side Ahal. A pair of wins over Saudi Arabia's Al Fayha (4-1 at home; 3-2 away) put the Garden City club firmly in control of the group before a setback in their fifth game – a 3-1 defeat at home to Pakhtakor.

With qualification to the knockout stage already secured, Al Ain rounded off their group assignment with a 2-1 victory at Ahal.

Last 16

Al Ain were paired with Group B winners Nasaf in the round-of-16. After a goalless first leg in Qarshi, it was the Uzbeks who went ahead in the return, Akmal Mozgovoy breaking the deadlock on 51 minutes. Nasaf's lead didn't last long, with Kodjo Laba giving Al Ain parity four minutes later. With the game seemingly headed to extra time, Sofiane Rahimi netted the winner two minutes into injury time.

Quarter-finals

Al Ain's reward was a mouthwatering tie against an Al Nassr side riding an unbeaten eight match run in the continent's premier competition and boasting superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack.

An electric night at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium saw Rahimi grab the game’s only goal, while Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa twice somehow repelled Ronaldo. Nassr's woes were compounded as defender Aymeric Laporte was shown a red card late on to rule him out of the return leg in Riyadh.

  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo shows his frustration during the Asian Champions League quarter-final second leg against Al Ain at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 11, 2024. The UAE side won 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 4-3 to Al Nassr in normal time and 4-4 on aggregate. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo shows his frustration during the Asian Champions League quarter-final second leg against Al Ain at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 11, 2024. The UAE side won 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 4-3 to Al Nassr in normal time and 4-4 on aggregate. Reuters
  • Al Ain players and staff celebrate after their victory over Al Nassr. Getty Images
    Al Ain players and staff celebrate after their victory over Al Nassr. Getty Images
  • Sultan Al Shamsi scores Al Ain's third goal. Getty Images
    Sultan Al Shamsi scores Al Ain's third goal. Getty Images
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their fourth goal. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their fourth goal. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Aiman Yahya is shown a red card by referee Ahmed Al Kaf. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Aiman Yahya is shown a red card by referee Ahmed Al Kaf. Reuters
  • Soufiane Rahimi scores for Al Ain. AFP
    Soufiane Rahimi scores for Al Ain. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo remonstrates with referee Ahmed Al Kaf. Reuters
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo remonstrates with referee Ahmed Al Kaf. Reuters
  • Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo during the match in Riyadh. AFP
    Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo during the match in Riyadh. AFP
  • Al Nassr's Sadio Mane under pressure from Erik of Al Ain. AFP
    Al Nassr's Sadio Mane under pressure from Erik of Al Ain. AFP
  • Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring Al Nassr's fourth goal. Reuters
    Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring Al Nassr's fourth goal. Reuters
  • Kouame Kouadio of Al Ain is challenged by Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo. Getty Images
    Kouame Kouadio of Al Ain is challenged by Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo. Getty Images
  • Abdulrahman Ghareeb celebrates after pulling a goal back for Al Nassr in first-half added-time. Reuters
    Abdulrahman Ghareeb celebrates after pulling a goal back for Al Nassr in first-half added-time. Reuters
  • Al Ain's Khalid Eisa and manager Hernan Crespo celebrate after Soufiane Rahimi's second goal. Reuters
    Al Ain's Khalid Eisa and manager Hernan Crespo celebrate after Soufiane Rahimi's second goal. Reuters
  • Soufiane Rahimi celebrates scoring for Al Ain. AFP
    Soufiane Rahimi celebrates scoring for Al Ain. AFP
  • Al Nassr attacker Sadio Mane controls the ball. Reuters
    Al Nassr attacker Sadio Mane controls the ball. Reuters
  • Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Al Ain's first goal. Getty Images
    Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after Al Ain's first goal. Getty Images
  • The Al Ain team before the match. Reuters
    The Al Ain team before the match. Reuters
  • The Al Nassr team before the match. Getty Images
    The Al Nassr team before the match. Getty Images
  • Al Ain fans before the match. Reuters
    Al Ain fans before the match. Reuters
  • Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Al Nassr v Al Ain - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - March 11, 2024 Al Nassr fans before the match REUTERS / Stringer
    Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Al Nassr v Al Ain - Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - March 11, 2024 Al Nassr fans before the match REUTERS / Stringer

The second leg in Riyadh finished 4-3 to Nassr, with Essa at fault for three of the Saudi side's goals. The match went to extra time and then spot kicks, where Essa atoned for his earlier errors, saving Marcelo Brozovic's effort while Alex Telles and Otavio also fluffed their lines for the UAE club to triumph 3-1.

Ronaldo, who had moments before scored from the spot to force the shoot-out, departed the pitch visibly upset by the result.

Semi-finals

Al Ain were again paired with Saudi opposition, with Al Hilal heavy favourites as they entered the two legs riding an incredible 34-game win streak.

The first leg in Al Ain was postponed 24 hours due to the bad weather that had battered the Emirates. When it did kick off, Al Ain showed they would not be overawed by their Saudi opponents.

A first-half Rahimi hat-trick, including two penalties, gave Hernan Crespo's side a 3-0 lead before Malcom pulled a goal back shortly after the break. Kaku restored the UAE side's three-goal advantage when he slotted home their third penalty of the night before Hilal were awarded a spot-kick of their own on 78 minutes, converted by reigning Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari.

Crespo urged his players to embrace the pressure ahead of Tuesday's semi-final second leg and that was put to the test inside four minutes as Ruben Neves slotted home from the penalty spot.

But respond they did, with defender Erik applying the finish to Yahia Nader's pull-back from the edge of the Hilal area on 12 minutes.

Al Dawsari's goal after the restart had Hilal 2-1 ahead on the night but still trailing 5-4 on aggregate. Al Ain, held out, displaying defiance and durability to halt the Hilal juggernaut. The UAE's only winners of the continental title way back in 2003, Al Ain had secured a first Asian Champions League final appearance since 2016 and fourth overall.

  • Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi celebrates after his side reached the AFC Champions League final. The UAE club lost the semi-final second leg against Al Hilal 2-1 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh but went through 5-4 on aggregate. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi celebrates after his side reached the AFC Champions League final. The UAE club lost the semi-final second leg against Al Hilal 2-1 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh but went through 5-4 on aggregate. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Al Ain's Yahia Nader celebrates at the final whistle.
    Al Ain's Yahia Nader celebrates at the final whistle.
  • Al Ain's Khalid Al Hashmi celebrates their ACL semi-final victory over Al Hilal.
    Al Ain's Khalid Al Hashmi celebrates their ACL semi-final victory over Al Hilal.
  • Al Ain's Park Yong-woo celebrates.
    Al Ain's Park Yong-woo celebrates.
  • Al Ain's Khalid Al Hashmi celebrates with teammates after the game.
    Al Ain's Khalid Al Hashmi celebrates with teammates after the game.
  • Al Ain's Alejandro Romero after they progressed.
    Al Ain's Alejandro Romero after they progressed.
  • Al Ain's Alejandro Romero and Matias Palacios celebrate.
    Al Ain's Alejandro Romero and Matias Palacios celebrate.
  • Al Ain players after reaching the final.
    Al Ain players after reaching the final.
  • Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo celebrates.
    Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo celebrates.
  • Al Ain's Alejandro Romero (L), Matias Palacios and Soufiane Rahimi (R) celebrate progression to the final after the 2nd leg of the AFC Champions League semi-final between Al Ain and Al Hilal. Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Ain's Alejandro Romero (L), Matias Palacios and Soufiane Rahimi (R) celebrate progression to the final after the 2nd leg of the AFC Champions League semi-final between Al Ain and Al Hilal. Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo after the victory.
    Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo after the victory.
  • Al Ain's Park Yong-woo.
    Al Ain's Park Yong-woo.
  • Al Ain's Erik celebrates after scoring.
    Al Ain's Erik celebrates after scoring.
  • Al Ain's Erik celebrates after scoring their goal.
    Al Ain's Erik celebrates after scoring their goal.
  • Al Ain's Erik celebrates his goal with Kouame Autonne.
    Al Ain's Erik celebrates his goal with Kouame Autonne.
  • Al Ain's Erik celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal.
    Al Ain's Erik celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal.
  • Al Ain's players celebrate Erik's goal.
    Al Ain's players celebrate Erik's goal.
  • Al Hilal's Ruben Neves scores their first goal from the penalty spot.
    Al Hilal's Ruben Neves scores their first goal from the penalty spot.
  • Al Hilal's Ruben Neves celebrates his opener.
    Al Hilal's Ruben Neves celebrates his opener.
  • Al Hilal's Ruben Neves retrieves the ball after scoring their opener.
    Al Hilal's Ruben Neves retrieves the ball after scoring their opener.
  • Al Ain's Matias Palacios battles with Al Hilal's Malcom.
    Al Ain's Matias Palacios battles with Al Hilal's Malcom.
  • Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo on the touchline.
    Al Ain manager Hernan Crespo on the touchline.
  • Al Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic heads the ball clear.
    Al Hilal's Sergej Milinkovic-Savic heads the ball clear.
  • Al Ain fans at the Kingdom Arena.
    Al Ain fans at the Kingdom Arena.
  • Al Ain supporters chant during the game.
    Al Ain supporters chant during the game.
  • Al Ain fans during the match.
    Al Ain fans during the match.
  • Al Ain supporters.
    Al Ain supporters.
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

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A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
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While you're here

First Person
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Museum of the Future in numbers
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  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
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  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
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Rating: 4/5

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SPECS

Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR

Engine: 5.7-litre V8

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

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Torque: 530Nm

Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)

Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC

2009 Finalist

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Dec 2011 Semi-finalist

Dec 2012 Did not play

Dec 2013 Semi-finalist

2015 Semi-finalist

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2017 Did not play

 

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Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed

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Updated: May 08, 2024, 7:52 AM
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