AFC Champions League Elite - Road to final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC ended a 13-year wait by advancing to the final of the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025.

Al Ahli have been in fine form on the continental stage and as they prepare to take on Japan's Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday, the-AFC.com retraces the Saudi Arabian club's journey to the final.

League Stage

Back on the continental stage for the first time suffering group stage elimination in the 2021 edition, Al Ahli hit the ground running with a 1-0 win over Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis FC.

#ACLElite | Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1 - 0 Persepolis FC (IRN)

That victory was to herald the start of an impressive League Stage outing as Al Ahli embarked on a five-match winning run that saw them confirm their Round of 16 spot with three matches to spare.

Al Wasl were the next to fall, with the UAE side suffering a 2-0 defeat. Al Ahli followed that up with wins over Qatar's Al Rayyan SC (2-1), Iraq's Al Shorta (5-1) and UAE's defending champions Al Ain FC (2-1).

#ACLElite | Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 2 - 2 Esteghlal FC (IRN)

The five-match winning run was halted by a 2-2 draw with Iran's Esteghlal but that were the only points drop as Al Ahli closed out the League Stage with victories against Qatar's Al Sadd SC (3-1) and Al Gharafa (4-2) as they finished second behind Saudi Pro League rivals Al Hilal SFC on goal difference.

Round of 16

v Al Rayyan (QAT)

Al Rayyan were Al Ahli's Round of 16 opponents, with the Saudi side repeating their League Stage victory over the Qatari side.

#ACLElite | R16, 2nd Leg: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 2 - 0 Al Rayyan SC (QAT)

Strikes from Galeno, Riyad Mahrez and Feras Al Brikan steered them to a 3-1 win in the first leg with Algerian Mahrez netting both goals in the 2-0 victory in the return fixture.

Quarter-final

v Buriram United (THA)

Two goals in the opening six minutes all but secured Al Ahli's semi-final spot with Mahrez opening the scoring in the fourth minute.

#ACLElite | Quarter-finals : Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 3 - 0 Buriram United (THA)

Galeno doubled the advantage two minutes later and Firmino confirmed their first last four spot since 2012 with his 30th minute strike.

Semi-final
v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Standing in Al Ahli's way for a place in the final were four-time champions Al Hilal SFC but the Jeddah-based side were not to be denied as they took the last-four showdown by storm.

#ACLElite | Semi-finals : Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 1 - 3 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Firmino netted his fifth goal of the season to open the scoring in the ninth minute and Al Ahli did not look back from there on.

Ivan Toney netted the second in the 27th and despite Salem Al Dawsari reducing the deficit four minutes from the break, Al Ahli were never really in trouble with substitute Al Brikan adding gloss to the scoreline with his stoppage time strike.

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Final - Preview: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Road to Final: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

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