Fans of Asian football will turn their attention to Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the UAE tomorrow evening, Saturday, for the much-anticipated match between Al Ain and their Japanese guest Yokohama Mariners in the second leg of the AFC Champions League final. The international referee, Alghiz Tantashiev from Uzbekistan, will officiate this crucial match, which is set to begin at 20:00 local time.
Al Ain must win this match with a better score than the 1-2 defeat they suffered against Yokohama in the first leg last Saturday at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama. The players of the UAE club are eager to overturn the result and surpass their guests, Yokohama Mariners, to claim the title for the second time, having previously won it in 2003. Meanwhile, the Japanese players hope to maintain their lead and win the competition for the first time in the club's history.
Expected starting lineup for Al Ain, managed by 48-year-old Argentine Hernan Crespo:
- Goalkeeper: Khalid Issa
- Defenders: Kwame Otuon, Park Young-woo, Yahya Nader, Khaled Al Hashmi
- Midfielders: Matias Palacios, Ahmed Berman, Bandar Al Ahbabi
- Forwards: Sofiane Rahimi, Alejandro Romero, Eric Mendes
Expected starting lineup for Yokohama, managed by 45-year-old Australian Harry Kewell:
- Goalkeeper: William Bobe
- Defenders: Ken Matsuiara, Takumi Kamijima, Shinosuke Hatanaka, Katsuba Taguna
- Midfielders: Keigo Sakakibara, Jan Matheus, Asahi Oinaka
- Forwards: Tam Tai He, Elber Da Silva, Anderson Luiz
The match between Al Ain and Yokohama on Saturday, May 25, 2024, in the second leg of the AFC Champions League final will be broadcasted on:
- Al Kass Sports Channels
- beIN Sports Qatar
- Abu Dhabi Sports Channel
- Saudi Channel "SSC" (SSC HD1)
Al Ain Club has decided to provide large screens for fans who were unable to obtain tickets to attend the match due to the high demand for season tickets, which exceeded 60% of the capacity of Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Additionally, the competition regulations allow the organizing federation of the Asian tournament to retain a significant portion of the ticket allocation for guests and sponsors.
The management of Al Ain has directed the provision of large screens in a lively atmosphere for cheering, along with all necessary services for Emirati football fans in the areas surrounding Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium in Al Qattara to watch the AFC Champions League final.
Al Ain concluded a deal this morning with "Star Cinema" venues to provide fans the opportunity to watch the Champions League final match in theaters across various emirates in the country, demonstrating the club's commitment to ensuring comfort for the audience.
