Al-Ahli triumphed over Kawasaki in the Asian Champions League final, securing a 2-0 victory that highlighted both teams’ strengths and weaknesses. The final was held in Jeddah, where Al-Ahli were able to demonstrate their full talents, particularly in high-pressure situations. The loss was especially stinging for Kawasaki, whose team had a hard time stopping opponents all tournament long.
Kawasaki’s left back, Sota Miura, walked off the field to receive treatment for a knee injury. This near miss would prove to be a highly impactful turning point in the match. Tactical Analysis With Miura suspended, Al-Ahli seized the opportunity and exploited the open area. Roberto Firmino pounced on the loose ball and raced into the box. He then delivered an exact cross that Kessie met with a powerful header, giving Al-Ahli their second goal. This moment would cost Kawasaki dearly. They were now trailing by two goals and had just ten men on the field.
Defensive Lapses Haunt Kawasaki
Makoto Hasebe, Kawasaki’s coach, was livid about the way his team defended. He noted that their backline has given up two goals in each game played in Jeddah. “We showed our skill in the last game, but in every single game we played here we conceded two goals. That’s something we need to improve in the future,” Hasebe remarked.
The final got off to a confusing start as fans watched the physically commanding Al-Ahli dominate the first half, but the unsteady Kawasaki side could never right the ship. Even Hasebe, a chief architect of this failed World Cup campaign, conceded that a different personnel may have been warranted during Miura’s tenure. “When we conceded the second goal at that time we had 10 players on the pitch. If I think about it now, maybe I could have replaced another player in that position. That could have been my mistake,” he said.
“This result is not what we expected. They played well. We conceded two goals and they deserve to be champions,” he stated.
Al-Ahli Capitalizes on Opportunities
Al-Ahli’s 2nd goal was the turning point in Al-Ahli’s victory. While Firmino did serve up the goal with that delightful backheel, it’s his composure and willingness to play from deep under pressure that created the chance. After receiving a return pass from compatriot Galeno, Firmino fired a shot towards goal. He struck a high-arcing shot beyond the reach of Arriola that curled into the upper 90 of the goal. This piece of skill highlighted Al-Ahli’s attacking individual quality and tactical intelligence across the entire game.
Hasebe acknowledged that individual skills differed between the teams, but collective effort proved decisive for either team. “The individual levels might be different but I believe both the individual and the team are very important,” he said.
Kawasaki’s inability to execute well in the final third played a huge part in their undoing. Hasebe underscored that a more unified and together application of their game plan might’ve changed things. “For us, if we could play as we planned, we could have won,” he remarked.
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