- 5/4/2025
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00:00Al-Atli are the home team, or the designated home team.
00:06Wonderful Tifo for us to put our eyes on.
00:09Eyes on the prize. Elite is ours to claim.
00:12Here's the English translation.
00:15As Roberto Firmino, six goals in this championship, is the captain.
00:20Edward Mendy has won international recognitions with Senegal.
00:24Behind them, Roger Ibanez, man of the match versus Al-Hilal.
00:29Important defensively and offensively alongside Demirel,
00:34the combative Turkish centre-back.
00:39Almagrashi's had a terrific tournament, solid full-back.
00:43Four international caps for Saudi alongside his Saudi team-mate,
00:46Sayed Al-Johani, vital cog in the heart of midfield.
00:49Frank Kessier missed a penalty versus Al-Hilal,
00:52but wasn't to be costly alongside the North Macedonian.
00:55Al-Johani, back from Penabache.
00:58Gallieno, the under-20, left winger down the left.
01:02Ivan Toni, 19 goals in all competitions for Al-Atli.
01:06And Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian international with over 100 caps,
01:10is the last man out for Al-Atli.
01:12Let's welcome the starting 11 for Kawasaki Frontale from Japan.
01:18Kawasaki Frontale being introduced.
01:22A new coach who only came to the helm in January of this year.
01:27Wakizaka scored the extra-time winner versus Al-Sad in the quarter-finals.
01:31Luis Yamaguchi, some big saves in the semi-final versus Al-Natsa,
01:36particularly against Cristiano Ronaldo.
01:38Kota Takai, an outstanding 20-year-old centre-back.
01:42Asahi Tazaki, he's also won Japanese international recognition.
01:47Erison, his assistory member against Al-Natsa in that semi-final.
01:51And Sotomiora is another defender who's been involved with the Japanese national team.
01:56Sokarahara was playing third-level football three seasons ago.
02:00Martinho, one of the two Brazilians in the line-up,
02:03five Asia Champions League of League goals this year.
02:06Yuiichi, some tournament for him, he would have expected to have been reserve only.
02:12And 38-year-old wizard Akihiro Yanaga,
02:15ahead of the hard-working central midfielder Yuto Yamamoto.
02:20They are the starting 11 for Kawasaki Frontale.
02:24Plenty of changes, we'll go through them in just a moment.
02:27But for Al-Atli, unchanged for the third game in a row rush.
02:31Yeah, I think Matthijs Jaisler has been very happy with the performance of his players, of his team.
02:36He seems to have settled on his best starting 11.
02:40Whereas for Shigetoshi Hasebe, we've seen him make changes at these finals,
02:46which was the smart thing to do with how condensed it's been,
02:49especially with Kawasaki Frontale having had to go into extra time
02:53to win their quarterfinal against Al-San.
02:56But it's changes that have paid off.
02:58It's an approach that they've had that has definitely paid off for them
03:01as they made their way into this final.
03:03For Al-Atli, they've looked so good, so slick as a unit.
03:07And from a coach's perspective, there's no need to go and shake things up too much
03:11because if it's coming along very nicely, you try and keep it as it is.
03:15It's been a two-year project for coach Matthijs Jaisler.
03:20He was under pressure earlier on in this season.
03:23And there were some talk that he was on his way out, but what a response to that.
03:27He was able to make a change.
03:29Alan St-Maxim went out of the squad.
03:31Gallieno came in.
03:32And since then, things have really turned around for Al-Atli.
03:36They look like they are a team.
03:39And they are a team on a mission.
03:42They've never won this AFC Champions League elite.
03:45They've been in the final of the Top Asian competition twice, but never won it.
03:50And with their 37-year coach at the helm, they could make history.
03:54The German has selected this unchanged side.
03:56Edward Mendy, the Senegalese international, in the centre of the defence.
04:00Roger Panez alongside Demiral.
04:02Ziad and Kessi, a strong midfield.
04:05Gallieno and Riyad Mahrez will provide the win.
04:07And up front, Roberto Firmino, six goals in this tournament,
04:11alongside Ivan Toney, the England international has also got six.
04:154-2-2-2 or a 4-2-3-1, as I suspect what we'll see.
04:22A special coin, the Visa coin, to do the coin toss.
04:27Roberto Firmino and Yazuto Wakizaka are the...
04:32Two captains, Abdurrahman Al-Jassim, 37-year-old Qatari.
04:37He's been a FIFA referee since 2013,
04:40has had some high-profile matches to be responsible for.
04:47Hamis Al-Mari from Qatar and Fuming from China
04:50have got the responsibilities in the VAR room.
04:53For Kawasaki frontale, I can tell you there's been changes once again.
05:07Five changes from the team that started their semi-final against Al Nassau.
05:13For Shikotoshi Asebi, he's used his squad.
05:15Yamaguchi retains his place in goal defensively.
05:19Asahi Sazaki comes in at right back.
05:22Sokawahara gets a recall in the centre of midfield.
05:25Wakizaka and Yanaga both start and Erison also start up front.
05:29This is the team that started the quarter-final against Al-Sad.
05:34But he's had to use his full squad.
05:37Al-Akhli line up in front of the team,
05:39in front of the bulk of their main supporters.
05:43There's pressure on them,
05:44but this is a group of players, Ross,
05:46who I think know how to cope with pressure.
05:49Look at him there.
05:50Ali Majerashi singing along with the fans.
05:53They'll be used to this.
05:54This is exactly what Al-Akhli do.
05:56Get in front of their support
05:57and just appreciate the support that they have
06:01and understand that they're not just playing for themselves,
06:05not just playing for the glory of the club,
06:07but also for each and every one of these spectators
06:10who have come out here this evening to support them
06:12and those who haven't been able to get a ticket out here.
06:15Hearing demand for a place at these finals
06:18was absolutely outstanding.
06:20You're lucky to get a seat here as we are.
06:23We were told there were a million applications
06:26to get tickets for this competition,
06:29for this particular final.
06:30You could have sold it out multiple times over.
06:33Kawasaki won the toss
06:35and have selected to change ends
06:37so that they will be attacking
06:40the Al-Akhli fans in the second half
06:44and Al-Akhli will be denied that opportunity.
06:47Psychological win number one for Kawasaki?
06:50Well, we'll see.
06:51I mean, I don't think it's something that has really affected Al-Akhli too much.
06:54I remember them attacking that side of the pitch
06:56in these finals as well and getting early goals.
06:59Roberto Firmino scored an early goal down that end.
07:03So I don't think it's something that's going to affect them too much.
07:05But we'll see.
07:06I mean, there's so many intriguing aspects to this matchup.
07:09Tactically, it's going to be fascinating.
07:10I'll touch on that a little bit more once we have kickoff.
07:13We are close to countdown.
07:14It is the first of the new generation of finals.
07:18The AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025,
07:23presented by Neon on the first of these finals
07:26at a packed-out stadium.
07:28We're at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
07:34The roads are gridlocked outside.
07:37Thousands doing their very best to get in.
07:40It is a ticket everybody wants,
07:43and what a finale that we have got.
07:45Kawasaki backs to the wall,
07:47but their little knot of players and knot of fans
07:50away to our right will be supporting all the way.
07:53Ticket tape on the pitch.
07:55Flags everywhere.
07:56A little bit of smoke coming through as well.
07:59Oh, this has got everything, Rosh.
08:01I think you relish these moments
08:04as the away side does.
08:09AFC Champions League Elite Final is underway.
08:14The all-white shirt of Al-Akhli Saudi
08:16chasing the elite prize in Asian football for the first time.
08:21Yanaga locks it forward,
08:23looks for Edison.
08:25And his Brazilian counterpart,
08:28Roger Ibanez, is there first.
08:33Harrison loses out to Ziad.
08:36High foot, first free kick of the match.
08:45And Ziad making sure they're trying to be quick
08:47to close down the two central midfielders of Al-Akhli,
08:50Ziad Al-Jahani and Franck Kessier.
08:53I think if you're a player,
08:55someone with character,
08:56as these Kawasaki frontale players have shown us,
08:59that they have lots of,
09:00and you relish these situations,
09:02an opportunity to really silence the crowd.
09:05And you can almost sort of build a little bit of that siege mentality around it.
09:08Ibanez, a little bit short.
09:11It's Yanaga, 38 years of age.
09:17What a touch.
09:18Maybe they'll be trying to get Yanaga just to keep the ball when they possibly can.
09:23What an introduction it is for the new coach, Shigatoshi Hasebi.
09:28Paniki had provided a really solid base for him.
09:32Four titles, but that seems to have run its course.
09:36Assebi has come in and taken the same group of players
09:38and got them to their first final.
09:45Maruyama.
09:48Out to Yanaga.
09:51Ibanez is there.
09:53Picked up in the heart of midfield by Kawahara.
09:55Closing down by Waki Zaka.
10:04Kessie spreads it out the Ivory Coast International.
10:08And Riyad Mahrez.
10:11He's got nine goals and eight assists.
10:13Riyad Mahrez.
10:15Algerian has been fabulous this season.
10:21And those passes from Ibanez are going to have to be watched out for by Frontale
10:25into those channels looking for either Galeno or Alyoski down the left-hand side.
10:29They're going to need a plan to try and close Ibanez down when they can
10:32and I suspect Arison might just be the player to do it.
10:35Flaminio loses out.
10:36It breaks to Marcinho.
10:38Madrashi is in there.
10:40Now Madrashi's won a throw-in.
10:41Ten million dollar prize for the winners of this competition.
10:55Ibanez.
10:56Once again, he tries to play the ball in.
10:58You picked out Ibanez early.
10:59And he's played that ball into Galeno several times.
11:02But Arison on the counter.
11:04Waki Zaka.
11:05Arison was left on the floor by Ziyad.
11:09And then Martinho is closed down once again by Madrashi.
11:13So he's already looked for those two passes into that third channel.
11:17And Asahi Sasaki has done very well to read those passes from Ibanez.
11:21There's no pressure on him.
11:22Then Sasaki needs to get ready to try and close off those passing lines into Galeno.
11:27Takai came forward and threw the ball away.
11:33He's lucky that Ibanez only wasn't picked out.
11:37Van Kessier.
11:38An all-action midfielder.
11:45Just too far ahead of Sotomayor by Maruyama.
11:50Maruyama's probably still pinching himself that he's playing in this competition.
11:54All the injuries, particularly to Jesse L.
11:57The Brazilian who had a hamstring injury before this tournament have enabled Maruyama to be an ever-present here.
12:03A lovely shot, this one of the 4-4-2 that you're seeing from Kawasaki Frontale.
12:07Got Marcinho and Ienaga in narrower defensive positions.
12:11They're not dropping off too deep just yet, Frontale, and that's really important.
12:15They don't get too deep too early.
12:21Tony, first to react.
12:24And Ibanez-Toni!
12:26Punched away by Yamaguchi.
12:29Stung the palms.
12:30Now that's going to be an interesting battle.
12:35Kota Takai up against Ivan Toni.
12:38And Takai was able to shut down Cristiano Ronaldo.
12:42Tony able to get away from the attentions of Takai.
12:45Decent effort.
12:46You expect Yamaguchi to make those sorts of saves.
12:49This time around he gets his body fully behind it and gets a strong push away.
12:53We'll talk more about that in a moment.
12:56First corner of the game though.
12:59Inside.
13:01Now Jahani is standing on the front post.
13:04Been early goals in all six of the matches in this competition so far.
13:15This quarter-final finals.
13:20Might have an early one here as well.
13:22Another save.
13:24And that was Al Jahani denied from point-blank range by Yamaguchi.
13:30A bit of a nervy start here by Kawasaki Frontale.
13:35It's Ibanez who actually climbs well.
13:38Almost unmarked in that situation.
13:40And as it drops, a little bit slow to react here Frontale.
13:44It is Ziad Al Jahani with the effort.
13:46That's good goalkeeping from Yamaguchi.
13:48Two good saves right at the start.
13:52Takai's taken a little knock to the hip as we look at Ziad Al Jahani.
13:58Look, Yamaguchi's had a strange tournament, has he?
14:03People looked in the semi-final and perhaps pointed fingers at him.
14:06But both goals in the semi-final that went past him took slight deflections.
14:12Are you joining the goalkeeper's union, Rosh?
14:14I think I will this time.
14:17Just for those deflections, taking it away from him slightly.
14:20It's still not a very good look.
14:22I think especially that second goal from Al Nasser by Ayman Yahia.
14:27Slightest of touches, but enough to take it away from Yamaguchi.
14:30I wasn't very convinced in his shot-stopping against Al Saad as well.
14:35That the Paulo Ohtavio effort is one he should have saved.
14:37But to be fair to him, he's come up with some big saves as well.
14:41Indeed, particularly against Cristiano Ronaldo in the dying stages
14:44of that memorable victory over Al Nasser.
14:57Maki Zaka.
15:02Yanaga.
15:03Little dink.
15:05Mendy belatedly comes to help out Dineral.
15:08You see it with Al Ahli.
15:12They're always going to look to try and play it out to Ibanez.
15:14He's always the first option.
15:20And from Frontale's point of view,
15:22if you can almost sort of try and get it out towards Dineral
15:25and try and get Al Ahli to build on that right-hand side,
15:28it is something that could help them.
15:30Maki Zaka just shifting across here,
15:32trying to close off that angle towards Ibanez.
15:33This is exactly what they would like to see.
15:36Frontale.
15:38Al Ahli's response is they're making this pitch
15:40as wide as they possibly can.
15:43We've got Gallieno hugging this left touchline,
15:45as is Alioski.
15:48Ibanez through the middle.
15:51Ariyama.
15:55Nicely played.
15:57Sasaki.
15:59Can advance.
15:59Looks out wide to Martinho.
16:01The Brazilian, who's got searing pace,
16:04looks back inside to Soto Miura.
16:05Marcinho is brought down by Marcinio.
16:10Referee Abdurrahman Al-Jassim deciding that
16:12Al-Jassim made no attempt to get out of the way.
16:18Well, he's not happy with the decision,
16:19but he looked like he was just foul of the ball there.
16:22Continued on with his run.
16:24Marcinio.
16:24It's going to be another battle to watch out for.
16:28Madrashi is not looking at the ball at all.
16:30He's got eyes on Marcinio all the way,
16:32and there is a nudge there.
16:33And you can see early on from Soto Miura,
16:35he's just looking to try and pass it into that space.
16:38Quick passes from Kawasaki Frontale.
16:40They're going to be key this evening.
16:41They're not going to see too much in terms of possession,
16:43but we've seen from them at this competition.
16:46They're very efficient, very effective
16:47with whatever little possession that they have.
16:49A couple of big early saves for Louis Yamaguchi.
16:55Came back to the club at the start of this season,
16:57did Yamaguchi.
17:00Little did he know he'd be playing in the showcase final
17:03at the end of it.
17:04Soto Miura.
17:05He has to take this free kick.
17:15Kawasaki have never been behind in this finals.
17:24It's a lovely ball in by Miura.
17:26Takai was the target.
17:28When he decided that Takai was pushing,
17:31free kick to Alahi.
17:32Yeah, good hit of that from Ibanez.
17:36Just got a flick on away from his penalty area.
17:41Makes a bit of movement,
17:42but he's well-positioned there, Ibanez.
17:43Under pressure from Takai.
17:47Don't know if I see a foul there, really.
17:49But the official has certainly spotted one.
17:53Shigatoshi Hasebe is agreeing with you.
17:56But he would.
17:58That's a very fair.
18:0253 yellow cards,
18:06one red card dished out in his last 10 matches
18:09by referee Al Jassim.
18:17Harrison chases down.
18:20Exhausting for the lone striker.
18:24That's well played by Al Ahli.
18:26Frontale trying to keep it away from Ibanez,
18:28but no panic.
18:30Damiral just gets it back to Mendy
18:32and then they switch it back out
18:33to the left-hand side again.
18:34They're working hard up front,
18:35Harrison and Wakizaka
18:37to try and close down.
18:41Andrashi's header.
18:43Wakizaka is there first.
18:45Harrison.
18:47Panez.
18:49And he's come through the back of Harrison,
18:50who's been left on the floor,
18:51but the game is played on Martinho.
18:53Lovely touch.
18:55Marcinho to the edge of the penalty area.
18:58Marcinho!
19:00Just wide by the Brazilian.
19:02And he's claiming a corner kick.
19:06The wing wizardry from Martinho.
19:09That's brilliant from the Brazilian.
19:11Lovely sweeping ball out
19:13into him by Yuki Yamamoto,
19:15who's had an excellent tournament
19:16for Kawasaki Frontale.
19:18And Marcinho,
19:19always the man that they're looking for
19:20on that left-hand side.
19:21He's got the beating of Matsurashi.
19:23Lovely nutmeg.
19:24And then an acceleration.
19:25Came to him a couple of times there.
19:27That took a touch of Mendy.
19:28That's a great save.
19:30Because that could have been
19:30headed in off the far post.
19:34Better now from Kawasaki Frontale.
19:40Goalkeepers in tight games,
19:42in tight tournaments,
19:43can make the difference.
19:44And that is a wonderful save
19:46from Edward Mendy.
19:47He hasn't played all of the
19:51Champions League games for
19:52Malatly this year.
19:55A couple of clean sheets
19:56in the 80 has played.
19:58Throwing goes the way
19:59of Kawasaki Frontale.
20:01Just bounced a little bit awkwardly.
20:14Looking really good
20:15in the early pressing here.
20:18Kawasaki Frontale.
20:19Always pressure on the Barniers
20:21and as it goes out wide
20:22that pressure then intensifies.
20:24And Iyanaga stepping into Alyoski.
20:26Kawahara does well.
20:35Yamamoto not as well.
20:39High up in the sky.
20:40Firmino such.
20:41Only finds Yamamoto.
20:44Demiral.
20:46Doesn't like the challenge.
20:47Ramerson.
20:48Kessier out wide
20:52to Madrasi.
20:54Madrasi's got three
20:55in the penalty area.
20:57Gallieno made a forward run.
20:59Firmino.
21:00Second chance
21:01for Roberto Firmino.
21:03Madrasi.
21:06And then Riyad Mahrez.
21:09Just blocked out.
21:10That's excellent defending
21:11by Sota Miura
21:12to Dinae Mahrez.
21:14Yeah, very good.
21:15Really good from Sota Miura.
21:17You know, he just decelerated.
21:18Put himself in front of Mahrez
21:20and did a panic.
21:21Nice body shape there
21:22from the defender
21:23and then just gets himself
21:24in the way.
21:24He waits for Mahrez
21:25to make the move
21:26and then steps across.
21:30Well, here's the little nutmeg.
21:32That'll go on any showreel
21:33he's got.
21:35This'll go on
21:36Edwin Mendy's showreel.
21:37Great touch.
21:38Wonderful save from Mendy.
21:40Crucial one there.
21:41Marsigno, you can see
21:42why he was rushing off
21:43towards the referee
21:44to say that should have been a corner.
21:45Titles in Austria.
22:00Of the big four
22:01in Saudi Arabia,
22:02now likely are the
22:02underachievers.
22:04Indeed, they only got promoted
22:05to the top flight
22:06two seasons ago
22:08having been relegated.
22:10They've only won the title
22:11once in the 21st century.
22:17Mocinho goes down the line.
22:19Yeah, it's just that
22:20heavy touch there.
22:21There was a bit of afters here.
22:23Majerashi had a few words
22:24for Marsigno.
22:27That could be crucial,
22:28that battle.
22:29Yeah, I think so.
22:30I mean, from what we've seen already,
22:32just 15 minutes into this match,
22:35Marsigno is always that outlet
22:36on the left-hand side
22:37for Kawasaki Frontale.
22:38He's got that ability
22:39to beat his man
22:40in those one-on-one situations.
22:45Look at this.
22:46I love the starting position
22:47from Kawasaki Frontale.
22:51Mahrez.
22:52Loose touch.
22:55He said they want to try
22:56and get it on to Demereau
22:57as much as possible,
22:58so Al-Ahli are going to have
22:59to try and find a way
23:00to build up
23:00a little bit more
23:01from that right-hand side.
23:02just so they have
23:03that balance.
23:11Demiral,
23:12Turkish international.
23:14It's not a weakness
23:15if he's put on the ball.
23:18It's not quite the strength
23:19of Ibanez on the ball.
23:21You've almost got
23:21that deep-lying playmaker
23:22in Ibanez.
23:23Just have a look
23:23at that diagonal.
23:25Picked up by Mahrez.
23:30Madrasi.
23:31Mahrez again.
23:32Very tight defending
23:35from Sotomayor.
23:43Madrasi.
23:46Mariyama
23:46is first there.
23:56Well, Kawasaki
23:57have taken a little bit
23:58of the sting
23:58out of the atmosphere.
23:59here's Gallieno
24:02though.
24:03Trying to re-energize things
24:04and Gallieno
24:05pushes forward
24:06and Toni
24:07side netting.
24:12That's really good
24:13centre-forward play
24:13from Ivan Toni
24:14because have a look
24:15at what he does
24:15with his body here.
24:16Just as he goes
24:17across Mariyama,
24:18he actually bumps
24:19into him.
24:20Just there.
24:21Just shields the ball.
24:22Doesn't allow Mariyama
24:23to step in front of him.
24:24just bumps into him.
24:26Yeah,
24:27have a look.
24:27Protects.
24:28And then he's allowed
24:28to turn.
24:29Angle was perhaps
24:30a little bit tight
24:31for Toni
24:32but that's good
24:32centre-forward play.
24:34I think it's come
24:34off his shin in fact.
24:36Can't quite catch
24:37that effort cleanly.
24:37Two efforts
24:39from the
24:40English-born striker.
24:43It's a long way
24:43from Northampton.
24:48Four shots to two
24:49so far.
25:00Harrison the target.
25:01Ibaniet gets in there first.
25:05Waki-Zaka
25:06thumping challenge
25:10coming in from
25:10Madrashi.
25:14Kessier is down
25:15injured.
25:17Yamamoto
25:17looks for Marsigno.
25:18Marsigno dances.
25:23And Toni
25:24comes away
25:24with possession.
25:25Looks for the pace
25:26of Gallieno.
25:27And Gallieno's
25:28got that pace.
25:32The Brazilian
25:33Toni
25:34excellent defending
25:37Mariyama.
25:38Got his full body
25:39in the way
25:40but the pressure
25:40hasn't finished yet.
25:42Alioski
25:43slides one in.
25:47Comes out to Gallieno.
25:49Edge of the penalty area.
25:50Kull just wide
25:52by Roger Ibaniet.
25:54Not a bad idea at all.
25:58There you go.
25:58Ibaniet is being given
25:59a license to step forward
26:01into those attacking areas.
26:04That defensive line
26:05had dropped off deep
26:05as did the
26:06couple of midfielders
26:07who slotted in
26:08to try and help out
26:09their back line.
26:11We could see
26:11what he was trying to do.
26:12Opened up the body.
26:13Here's another look
26:19at the early opportunity
26:21Marcino.
26:21Nothing in here.
26:22Well-timed challenge
26:23from Madrashi.
26:24It's Marcino
26:25just losing his balance.
26:26Madrashi
26:27did well
26:28to get his toe
26:28onto the ball there.
26:33But the pressing
26:34in the build-up
26:34to that
26:35was excellent
26:35from Frontale
26:36once again.
26:41No playing out
26:41from the back
26:42from Frontale.
26:42Let's get it
26:43into Al-Atli's half
26:45but they lose
26:45the first ball
26:46and Galliano
26:48Firmino
26:51spins it out wide
26:53looks for Madrashi.
26:57Good game,
26:58Rosh.
26:58Good game.
26:59Really good start
26:59to this final.
27:01Kawasaki Frontale
27:03for me a little bit
27:04on top at the moment.
27:09Though Al-Atli
27:10have had the early efforts.
27:12they've been able
27:17to home side
27:18just to get their fans
27:18singing again.
27:27Al-Atli's key
27:28does well
27:31to win the corner.
27:33And he slapped it
27:34straight into
27:35Asahi Sasaki.
27:36and strangles him.
27:40Yeah,
27:40it's a really painful
27:42one for Sasaki.
27:43Al-Atli's key
27:44does really well here.
27:44I don't think
27:45it's the best
27:45to pass this in behind
27:46but he makes
27:47something off it
27:48by winning the corner.
27:53Smashed right
27:54into the neck
27:55of Asahi Sasaki.
28:01Still down Sasaki
28:02and you can
28:02understand why.
28:03No treatment.
28:16Not today anyway.
28:21Back into his position.
28:22He'll have an important
28:23defensive job to do
28:24because they've got
28:26aerial prowess
28:27of Al-Atli.
28:29Tony,
28:30of course.
28:31Demiral.
28:32Ibanez.
28:35Mahrez corner.
28:36And it is a white shirt
28:39that gets the header
28:40in.
28:40Roberto Firmino,
28:41I think.
28:49That was Roberto Firmino.
28:52He's got away
28:52from Ihenaga.
28:55Good use of the arms
28:56just to create distance.
28:59A lot of stuff.
29:01Didn't really do too much
29:02with that delivery
29:02from Rian Mahrez.
29:04Also had the run
29:04of Ibanez
29:05just in behind him.
29:06Nice touch from Galliano.
29:26Tony is onside.
29:28Flag has stayed down.
29:29Tony's a little bit isolated.
29:32Galliano available.
29:37And Galliano.
29:39Shot comfortably held
29:41by Yamaguchi.
29:44They'll want to be wary
29:45of that.
29:46Galliano cutting in.
29:48They had that experience
29:48of Sadio Mane
29:50scoring
29:51from a similar sort
29:52of position
29:53there against them
29:53in the semi-final.
29:56It's a good interchanger
29:57for passes here though.
29:58Nice idea
29:58from Al-Atli.
29:59Just to try
30:00and break through
30:00and break through
30:00that defensive block.
30:02Didn't quite catch that
30:03as well as he would
30:03have liked
30:04Al-Atli.
30:04Easy save for Yamaguchi
30:05in the end.
30:09Now this is concerning.
30:11It's Roger Bañez
30:12who's down.
30:18Just a bit of spray
30:19maybe on that right ankle.
30:21I didn't see anything.
30:22It was just
30:26as he went up
30:27for that header.
30:29It was an aerial challenge
30:30and I think
30:30it was the landing
30:31that caused a bit
30:32of an issue
30:33for Ibanez.
30:34He went down
30:35as Al-Atli
30:37broke forward.
30:38Here's another look
30:38at this
30:38from the goal kick.
30:40Let's have a look
30:40at Ibanez.
30:41Arison's on him.
30:45Well he actually
30:45didn't go up.
30:46It was Arison.
30:47Might have just
30:48given him a bit
30:49of his stamp there.
30:49There you go.
30:50Left foot
30:51on the right boot
30:52of Ibanez.
30:57Roger Bañez
30:58might remember that.
30:59That might just be
31:00lodged
31:00in the old memory banks.
31:03He's been great
31:03going forward
31:04but he can look
31:05after himself can't.
31:08Mr. Ibanez.
31:10Yeah he certainly can
31:11and there's going
31:12to be something
31:13coming Arison's way.
31:14I can almost guarantee it.
31:15That's just the way
31:16it goes out there.
31:19The energy
31:22of the Kawasaki fans.
31:25They may be outnumbered
31:27but they won't be
31:28outsung today.
31:30Yamaguchi finds
31:31Kota Takai.
31:37Locally born player
31:38come through the ranks.
31:39Matt Kawasaki.
31:43Yamamoto
31:43hoisted up to Arison
31:45too much on that.
31:46Demidal can get there.
31:49Suzaki and Gallieno.
31:51Tony
31:51loses out
31:53to
31:54Yuki Yamamoto.
31:58Nice turn
32:00from Suzaki.
32:04Ibanez fully fit
32:06looks okay.
32:07Oh it's a bit short
32:08for Mendy
32:08who did well.
32:10Reacted just ahead
32:11of Arison.
32:12bit of a nervy moment
32:15there.
32:18Now look at the
32:18pressing again
32:19from Kawasaki
32:19full of energy.
32:21They look really
32:21fresh here.
32:32It's not exactly
32:33a tactical insight
32:35but we were able
32:35to talk to some
32:36of the technical
32:36guys at Kawasaki
32:37yesterday
32:38and asked
32:39what's the game
32:40plan.
32:41Run, run, run.
32:42That was
32:43what it was
32:44and that's what
32:44they've done
32:45in this opening
32:4525 minutes.
32:47Well that's what
32:47they've done
32:48throughout these
32:48finals here in Jeddah.
32:50They've been so
32:50impressive.
32:52They've had a lot
32:53going against them
32:54in terms of how
32:55far they've had
32:55to travel.
32:56Having to adjust
32:57to the weather
32:58conditions here.
33:00Playing extra time
33:01against Al Saad
33:02and then coming
33:03up against
33:03a star-studded
33:05Al Nasser
33:05in the semi-finals.
33:06They've been so
33:07impressive and
33:07it's been a real
33:08squad effort.
33:10They've made
33:11no changes.
33:11The younger players
33:12coming in,
33:12the likes of Kanda
33:13and Ozecki
33:13have certainly
33:14played their part.
33:15Lovely from Arison
33:15this as well.
33:16Terrific from Arison.
33:18Demirel does well
33:19to end it.
33:20Mwaki Zaka
33:21chases him back.
33:22Demirel carries...
33:23Sorry,
33:24Ibanez carries on
33:25and Ibanez
33:26well
33:27and Gallieno
33:29normally have
33:29that interchange
33:30but it's Gallieno
33:31chasing into
33:32the touchline.
33:34Yeah,
33:34it's normally
33:34Ibanez
33:35into Gallieno
33:36rather than
33:36the other way
33:37around.
33:38But good
33:38positive run
33:39from Ibanez.
33:41Nice turn
33:42and a nutmeg
33:43threw the legs
33:43off Demirel
33:44skips past him
33:45like he wasn't
33:45even there.
33:46Just got crowded
33:46out in the end
33:47there.
33:47Arison,
33:48unfortunately
33:49for him,
33:50couldn't quite
33:50find a teammate.
33:54That's a good
33:55challenge from
33:55Ziad Al-Johani
33:56just with that
33:57shoulder nudge
33:58into Arison
33:59putting him
34:00off balance
34:00allowing Ibanez
34:01to step in
34:02and recover
34:02possession.
34:04That's a couple
34:05of social media
34:06highlights that
34:06we've seen
34:07from
34:07Amarsino
34:09and now
34:09Arison.
34:10everybody loves
34:11a good
34:11nutmeg.
34:13Driving down
34:13the left-hand
34:14side is
34:14Sotomayor
34:15too much
34:16on that
34:17just pushed
34:17it too
34:18far ahead
34:18and
34:18Madrashi
34:19caused the
34:23error.
34:24Everybody
34:25loves a nutmeg
34:25except for
34:26the victims
34:26and as you
34:28said
34:28it goes
34:28on social
34:29media
34:29it's up
34:29there
34:30forever
34:30these
34:30days.
34:30well he's
34:34still feeling
34:35that right
34:37angle
34:37Ibanez
34:38he won't
34:41want to go
34:42off
34:42of course
34:42he won't
34:43want to go
34:43off.
34:44Well it's
34:44interesting here
34:45that it's
34:46Faraz Albrekan
34:46who's out
34:48there warming
34:48up
34:49the attacking
34:49player.
34:50I wonder
34:55if there's
34:56an issue
34:56elsewhere
34:57on the
34:58pitch.
34:59There you
34:59go there's
34:59that stamp
35:00again.
35:01There's no
35:01intent there
35:02though.
35:02No there
35:02isn't.
35:03I don't
35:03think there's
35:04any fault
35:04there.
35:05In terms
35:06of intent
35:07from Arison
35:07this is
35:08again one
35:09of those
35:09things that
35:09will happen
35:10it's a
35:10natural
35:10footballing
35:11movement.
35:20Mendy
35:22with the
35:23goal kick
35:2427 minutes
35:25in
35:2660-40
35:2761-39
35:29to be
35:29precise
35:29the
35:30ball
35:30possession
35:31in favour
35:31of
35:32Al-Atli
35:33Saudi
35:337 shots
35:35to 2
35:353 on
35:36target
35:37Mahrez
35:43coming
35:43central
35:44to see
35:44a little
35:44bit
35:44more
35:45of
35:45the
35:45ball
35:45Alioski
35:47Firmino
35:51Madrashi
35:58five
35:59white
35:59shirts
35:59in the
35:59penalty
36:00area
36:00Kawahara's
36:03clearance
36:03Such a
36:10hard
36:10work at
36:10Kawahara
36:11alongside
36:12Yukuyama
36:13Yamamoto
36:13Alieno
36:22around the
36:22corner
36:23Firmino
36:24space
36:26for
36:26Alioski
36:27nice
36:27triangle
36:28Alioski's
36:29ball
36:29dealt
36:30with
36:30by
36:30Sasaki
36:31Okizaka
36:32helps
36:32it
36:32on
36:33and
36:33Erison
36:33under
36:33pressure
36:34from
36:34Ibanez
36:34too
36:35much
36:35pressure
36:36well
36:40take
36:40that
36:40Kawasaki
36:41frontale
36:41it's
36:42a little
36:42bit
36:42more
36:42frustration
36:43for
36:43Al-Akli
36:43and also
36:44an opportunity
36:45to just
36:45try and
36:46slow it
36:47down
36:47and that's
36:47the job
36:47of the
36:48centre
36:48forward
36:49in those
36:49situations
36:49when your
36:50side's
36:50under
36:50pressure
36:51if they
36:51get it
36:52into
36:52you
36:52you
36:52need
36:52to
36:52make
36:53it
36:53stick
36:53either
36:54try
36:54and
36:54build
36:54an
36:55attack
36:55find
36:55a
36:55teammate
36:55or
36:56win
36:56those
36:57three
36:57kicks
36:57that
37:05is
37:05not
37:05the
37:06pass
37:06that
37:06favours
37:07Marsignor
37:07Takai
37:10did
37:10well
37:10under
37:11pressure
37:12Erison
37:13once
37:14again
37:14this
37:14time
37:15Erison
37:15penalised
37:16came
37:23from
37:24Butafogo
37:24Erison
37:25that
37:28isn't
37:28in the
37:29international
37:29class
37:30that
37:30the
37:31transfers
37:31that
37:31have
37:32gone
37:32to
37:32Al-Akli
37:33Ziad
37:50Alioski
37:51given
37:52away
37:52Zizaki
37:53is there
37:54first
37:54Zona
37:56got
37:57Erison
37:57ahead
37:57of
37:57him
37:58so
37:58Zizaki
37:58carries
37:59on
37:59holds
38:00on
38:00to
38:00possession
38:01cleverly
38:02Sokawahara
38:03finds
38:04Marsignor
38:04Miura
38:05went
38:06outside
38:06Madrashi
38:08did
38:08well
38:08lovely
38:09little
38:09flick
38:10inside
38:10Wakizaka
38:11now
38:12they go
38:13wide
38:13this is
38:14Sota
38:14and that
38:16will be
38:16a free
38:16kick
38:16I was a
38:21little bit
38:21lazy
38:21defensively
38:22there
38:22from
38:22Riyan
38:23Mahrez
38:23he just
38:24allowed
38:24Sota
38:24Miura
38:24to skip
38:25past
38:25him
38:25far
38:25too
38:26comfortably
38:26but
38:27again
38:28Kawasaki
38:28Frontale
38:29once more
38:30they show
38:31their ability
38:31in possession
38:32they're not
38:33going to have
38:33a lot of
38:33the ball
38:34but when
38:34they have
38:34it
38:35very dangerous
38:36really good
38:38solid technical
38:39players out there
38:40the
38:49there's a
38:49there's a
38:49there's a
38:49there's a
38:49wonderful
38:49tactical
38:50understanding
38:50of
38:51where you
38:51need to
38:51be
38:52positioned
38:52to
38:53try and
38:53support
38:54a
38:54teammate
38:54you tend
38:56to see
38:56more
38:56often
38:57than not
38:57players will have options available to them when they have the ball
39:03Muriyama's in an offside position at the moment which suggests that Takai is the
39:07real target Eeyore Erison who are lurking at the back post
39:20comes out to Yamamoto
39:23Firmino defending unorthodox but effective Riyad Mahrez can come forward
39:31and does defend splitting ball from Mahrez and Sasaki read that danger
39:39Madrashi was nearly on to it but what a pass from Riyad Mahrez
39:44yeah great vision from Riyad Mahrez
39:46but credit to Sasaki for another really important intervention just stepping in
39:53it has that pace to recover and get himself into a position where he can cut
39:57out those passes we saw him make a really good challenge late on against a
40:02Cristiano Ronaldo in that semi-final
40:08goal-saving tackle from Sasaki showing his importance here once again and covering
40:14goal-saving tackle from Riyad Mahrez
40:16for his central defenders
40:17for his central defenders
40:21goal-saving tackle from the Masters
40:23to have a look at the cutaway but just as we had that wider shot there you had to look at Al-Ahli in the forward line and trying to over low on Kawasaki Frontali in the defensive phase look at that you've all got three against three for me no with the freedom to make those runs Ga
40:31Now have a look at the cutaway, but just as we had that wider shot there,
40:38you had a look at Al Ahli in the forward line,
40:40trying to over-low on Kawasaki Frontale in that defensive phase.
40:43Look at that, you've almost got three against three.
40:45Firmino with the freedom to make those runs.
40:47Galeno in the central position as well.
40:49Here is Galeno, looks for Firmino.
40:53Yamaguchi clutches.
40:57I just picked that one out in terms of Al Ahli just risking it a little bit more.
41:02In terms of the positioning and attack, Galeno pushing into more of those central positions,
41:06allowing Alyoski then to provide the width.
41:08And they're just trying to give Frontale central defenders something else to think about.
41:16Alyoski guides it back, needed to have enough purchase on that header.
41:21Former Leeds man had that.
41:27Ypana is still not running fluently.
41:36Still feeling, I think, that ankle knock, but he'll run it off.
41:44The powers of adrenaline, the powers of the magic spray.
41:47And they're down.
41:52And they're down.
41:55Kessia.
42:02Galeno.
42:03Firmino.
42:04Arison being selective in the balls he's chasing.
42:17Decided fairly early on that that one isn't worth the energy.
42:21Madrashi's made another great forward run.
42:24Bit too much on that.
42:25Yamaguchi can pick it up.
42:27But Madrashi is...
42:28Well, he's one of the main outlets.
42:30Sazaki loses out.
42:31Tony.
42:32Good defensive work by Galeno.
42:33Firmino.
42:34Galeno.
42:35That's special.
42:36Yeah.
42:37That's special.
42:38That's a goal worthy of a final.
42:39Galeno.
42:40Just amazing.
42:42Just amazing.
42:54that's special
42:55that's a goal worthy of a final
42:59Galeno
43:02just amazing
43:07and we had such a good sight of it as well
43:12flew into that top corner
43:14no chance
43:15for Lou Yamaguchi
43:17the roar will reverberate
43:24to Riyadh
43:26I was just going to say
43:27this actually starts
43:28because I think Lou Yamaguchi
43:30puts his side in a bit of trouble
43:31by playing it out too quickly
43:33Sasaki was closed down
43:35it's a credit to Al Ahli
43:36for pressing high up
43:37and they get their reward big time
43:39too much space for Galeno
43:41to actually set himself
43:42and there's a bit of a bubble as well
43:44but he catches it so cleanly
43:46there's not much of a bend on it
43:48it's almost hit sort of
43:51flatly in a sense
43:52and lifted in
43:53towards that far side
43:55from Galeno
43:55that's such a well-controlled goal
43:58top class
44:01top class
44:01fourth AFC Champions League
44:06a lead goal
44:07it's called a lead for a reason
44:10that is wonderful
44:12fireworks are being let off
44:34and I think everybody is just calming down referee as well
44:38just delaying the kickoff
44:39now we are on
44:40what a way to open the scoring
44:43now likely 1
44:46Kawasaki Frontale 0
44:48well this is interesting
44:55from Kawasaki Frontale's perspective
44:57they've not gone behind
44:59in any of the matches here
45:00at these finals
45:02so a response is going to be so important
45:04and can they provide that
45:05I still look back at it
45:08and I think Yamaguchi
45:10I think he shouldn't have played it out so quickly
45:12I don't think his team are ready
45:14for the short pass out from the back
45:16they can punish there
45:21there's still a lot to do for Galeno
45:24but boy did he do it well
45:26at the top level
45:29the tiniest details make the difference
45:31Galeno came in as a replacement for Alain San-Maxam
45:47and
45:49as we wait for
45:52Firmino
45:54to get onto this
45:55Firmino
45:57just can't get back
45:58Galeno again
45:59Kawasaki dare not concede a second
46:04Sotomayor is down
46:08that's going to hurt Sotomayor
46:13but once more
46:15that centre forward play
46:16from Ivan Toni
46:17so important
46:18it was launched into him
46:19and he just got in front of
46:21Maruyama
46:23chested it back down to Firmino
46:25that's how they were able to
46:26carve out that opportunity
46:28he's in need of treatment here
46:37as I was saying he came
46:42for Alain San-Maxam
46:46coach Yesler wanted him in the squad
46:50but I don't think even Yesler thought that
46:53he would produce this kind of thing on a regular basis
46:55this is wonderful
46:56well he was brought in for big money
46:57and he's made an immediate impact
46:59since joining the club
47:01and that's exactly why you pay
47:03top dollar
47:04for players to come in
47:06and do this sort of thing
47:09it really is a special goal
47:11and it's a brilliant opening goal
47:14for the AFC Champions League Elite Final
47:18a 50 million dollar goal
47:25well he felt like he was going to take something special
47:28just to try and break the deadlock
47:29well we've seen resilience from Kawasaki
47:43throughout this tournament
47:44throughout these finals
47:46here's another look at this from Sota Miura
47:51just as he blocks that effort from Firmino
47:53might have just tweaked
47:53his knee
47:56was he clutching his knee there
47:57might not have just locked his foot in position
48:01yep there you go
48:02he's clutching his knee
48:03that's a little bit concerning
48:04he was not moving around very comfortably as well
48:07as he hobbled off the pitch
48:09he's going to have to do some further test here
48:11he's gone down once again
48:12there's Miura
48:14there's Miura
48:14there's Miura
48:15there's Miura
48:16Kawasaki temporarily down to 10 men
48:18Miura is off the pitch over on the far side
48:22and I do fear they're going to have to replace him
48:25it's an impact injury
48:31he wasn't able to plant his foot into the ground
48:34yeah he's coming off
48:36they're going to have to adjust
48:45injuries have heard Kawasaki
48:57coming into this tournament
48:58no Jesse L
48:59it's looking like it's going to be
49:06Sy van Vermeskirchen
49:09they've got to avoid conceding a second tourney
49:16goin season
49:17no
49:18yay
49:19yay
49:20yay
49:31yay
49:33yay
49:34yay
49:35yay
49:35yay
49:36yay
49:37yay
49:38yay
49:39éta
49:41év
49:41yay
49:42yay
49:43yay
49:43yay
49:44yay
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