• Al Ain fan Mohammed Al Kaabi in Tokyo, Japan to attend the Asian Champions League final between Al Ain and Yokohama F Marinos. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Ain fan Mohammed Al Kaabi in Tokyo, Japan to attend the Asian Champions League final between Al Ain and Yokohama F Marinos. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Mohammed Al Kaabi orders raman as the Al Ain fan experienced Tokyo for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Mohammed Al Kaabi orders raman as the Al Ain fan experienced Tokyo for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A ramen resturant in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A ramen resturant in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Al Ain fan Mohammed Al Kaabi has raman for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Ain fan Mohammed Al Kaabi has raman for the first time. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Masa is a ramen chef in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Masa is a ramen chef in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A busy station in Tokyo, Japan. Al Ain will take on Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday in the Asian Champions League final first leg. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A busy station in Tokyo, Japan. Al Ain will take on Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday in the Asian Champions League final first leg. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The International Stadium Yokohama where Al Ain will take on Yokohama F Marinos in the Asian Champions League final first leg. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The International Stadium Yokohama where Al Ain will take on Yokohama F Marinos in the Asian Champions League final first leg. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • People get onto a full train in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People get onto a full train in Tokyo, Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Japanese football fans outside the International Stadium Yokohama in Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Japanese football fans outside the International Stadium Yokohama in Japan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Mohammed Al Kaabi displays his Al Ain scarf ahead of the Asian Champions League final first leg. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Mohammed Al Kaabi displays his Al Ain scarf ahead of the Asian Champions League final first leg. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lifelong Al Ain fan takes in Tokyo ahead of Asian Champions League final


  • English
  • Arabic

Mohammed Al Kaabi is one of hundreds of Al Ain supporters who have made the 8,000km trip from the UAE to Japan to cheer on their side in the Asian Champions League final first leg.

UAE giants Al Ain face Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday aiming to take the first step towards clinching their second continental title - and first since 2003.

Among the many fans who will take their place inside the 72,000-capacity International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday will be lifelong Al Ain fan Al Kaabi.

The Emirati landed in Tokyo on Monday and has spent the days leading up to the final taking in the sights, sounds, and tastes of Japan's capital. No stranger to Champions League away days - Al Kaabi travelled to Saudi Arabia for the quarter-final and semi-final second legs against Al Nassr and Al Hilal - but this is his first visit to Tokyo.

To make his first visit even more special, Al Kaabi turned 34 on Saturday and will hope to celebrate by enjoying an Al Ain victory.

The National joined Al Kaabi for a wander around the city. Check out the pictures in the photo gallery above.

Updated: May 11, 2024, 7:11 AM