AFC Champions League Elite - Proud Jaissle sets Al Ahli title target

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle wants his players to reach for the stars after Al Ahli Saudi FC completed a near-perfect AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 league stage campaign with a 4-2 win against Al Gharafa SC on Monday.

With seven wins and one draw, only an Al Hilal SFC win on Tuesday will deny Al Ahli the top spot in the West Zone - leading Jaissle to believe that this could be the season that the Saudi Arabian side finally land their first continental title.

#ACLElite | Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 4-2 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

"We reacted wonderfully, and the players' reaction after conceding the goal was excellent, which is not easy and makes me very happy,” said the 36-year-old German.

"We achieved a historic record in this edition without losing, and this is not easy. We have the support of the fans and we look forward to winning this tournament."

Al Ahli went behind to a Joselu strike in the sixth minute but roared back with goals from Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmono, Galeno and Riyad Mahrez.

Needing to get something from the game to claim a spot in the Round of 16, defeat meant Al Gharafa were eliminated with head coach Pedro Martins admitting the gap in quality between the two sides ultimately proved too much.

"We started the match well, we succeeded in creating a threat to Al Ahli's goal and scoring the opening goal,” said Martins. “In the second half we were unable to keep up with the opponents who are a strong team.”

Proud Jaissle sets Al Ahli title target

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