MENA Sports Wrap: Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli make history with Asia Champions League title

Jeddah-based club Al-Ahli added their first-ever AFC Champions League trophy to their cabinet this week, while Al-Ittihad are inching closer to Saudi Pro League glory in a dramatic win against Al-Nassr.

Meanwhile, the UAE's cricket team defeated Scotland in a shock win on Thursday, despite being the Cricket World Cup League 2's lowest-ranked team,

Al-Ahli make history, win AFC Champions League for first time

Saudi club Al-Ahli have been crowned Asian champions after beating their Japanese opponents Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 during the AFC Champions League final on Saturday.

The bout took place in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, with an attendance of 58,000. Both teams were vying for their first every trophy in the competition, with Al-Ahli having made it to the final twice before.

Brazilian winger Galeni broke the deadlock with an outstanding strike in the 35th minute into the top corner, sending the home team on course to their very first title in the competition.

Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie headed the second and final goal of the match seven minutes later, with the second half left to play.

Al-Ahli played the second half more defensively, in a bid to protect their 2-0 lead. Kawasaki had multiple chances to convert attempts into goals but struggled to find the back of the net.

Saturday’s win for Al-Ahli marks the first time the Riyadh-based club has ever won the AFC Champions League competition, and the third Saudi club overall.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy said after the match: "We are so proud. Once we knew the final eight would be played in Jeddah it was our goal to be champions in front of our fans. Since I came here 18 months ago they have supported us so much."

The victory also meant that former English Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez, formerly of Manchester City, Roberto Firmono, who played for Liverpool, as well as ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Mendy, have won the Champions League on both the European and Asian continents.

Saudi Arabia also achieved another feat in the competition. Al-Hilal striker Salem Al-Dawsari became the first player from his country to win the AFC Champions League Golden Boot, having netted 10 goals throughout the competition.

Al-Ittihad inch closer to league glory after 'El Clasico' win over Al-Nassr

In another dramatic night in Saudi football, rivals Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad battled it out in the latest edition of the Saudi classico on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s side had a comfortable 2-0 lead during the first half, before Al-Ittihad turned the game completely around, and ended up winning the game.

Houssem Aouar scored the last-minute winner for the Jeddah-based club, inching them closer to the Saudi Pro League title.

Ex-Liverpool winger Sadio Mane opened the scoresheet for the home side within three minutes with a low shot and went on to assist Ayman Yahya to make it 2-0 for Al-Nassr in the 37th minute.

Al-Ittihad, however, emerged the better side after the interval. Karim Benzema reduced the deficit with a 49th minute strike, with N’golo Kante netting the equaliser soon after.

Aouar, formerly of Roma and an Algeria international, scored the winner with moments to go before the final whistle, in a dramatic turnaround.

Al-Ittihad’s win has now put them six points ahead of Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League table, with four matches left to go before the end of the season.

Al-Nassr’s loss also provoked a strong reaction from star player Ronaldo, who throw his hands in the air and made "sleeping gestures" at his teammates.

Fans, however, criticised the Portuguese international for missing a number of chances to level the score.

Low-ranked UAE in shock win over Scotland in cricket's League 2 World Cup

The UAE defeated Scotland by 97 runs on Thursday during an ICC World Cup League 2 game, in a surprising win for the Gulf side.

UAE captain Rahul Chopra made his first one day international century (101) to help his side to 296-6. Meanwhile, opener Aryansh Sharma contributed 56 and Muhammad Waseem (41) played a part in the UAE’s winning performance with his skipper, who made the most of his escape from a big lbw (leg before wicket) claim on 30.

Scotland, the competition's defending champions, were unable to respond adequately to the UAE’s form, but credited them for winning the bout.

The UAE are the lowest ranked team competing in the 2024-2026 Cricket World Cup League 2, which features fellow MENA team Oman, as well as the US, Namibia, the Netherlands, Nepal and Canada.

The UAE will face their Dutch rivals on Monday, and will play against Scotland again on 14 May.