Elite 12th Man: How Al Ahli fans drove club to repeat Asian glory | OneFootball

Amid the tears and the revelry of newly anointed title winners, they all took time to pay tribute to Al Ahli’s spectacular support.

"Obviously also a part of [winning again] was that we played here in Jeddah in front of the fans," enthused manager Matthias Jaissle in the aftermath of his side’s 1-0, extra-time triumph against Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia at a thronged Alinma Stadium.

“They could push us; they could give us extra motivation and energy. And we did it again, back-to-back, which is something historical."

That they did. Al Ahli had just entered the record books as the first team to retain the continent’s preeminent club prize in more than two decades, emulating city rivals Al Ittihad’s feat across 2004 and 2005.

That the success took place for a second successive year in Jeddah felt even more fitting. On Saturday night, right when their players needed it, Al Ahli's vociferous fanbase drove them forward - just as they did throughout the AFC Champions League Elite Finals tournament staged in their hometown.

Like in the last 16, when Al Ahli toiled against Qatar’s Al Duhail but prevailed thanks to Riyad Mahrez’s fabulous free-kick three minutes from what would've been surely a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.

Al Ahli's vociferous support brought the noise and colour to ACL Elite final

In the quarter-final, when the Roshn Saudi League representatives had to rally from a goal down to see off Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia.

History repeated in the last-four encounter against Japan’s Vissel Kobe, Al Ahli requiring goals from Galeno - his second stunner in as many matches - and Ivan Toney to turn around the tie and book a second Asian final on the bounce.

Each time, the Al Ahli fans urged the champions forward. Each time, more crammed inside their home venue to form part of that much-vaunted "12th-man".

More than 40,000 in the quarters. Almost 45,000 in that semi-final. Close to 60,000 for the showpiece. The chants, the scarves, the flags. The unfurling of that magnificent and mammoth two-tiered "Elite Orbit" astronaut tifo.

Indeed, the Al Ahli faithful were sending their side to a different stratosphere. And their stars, despite being reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, ulimately obliged.

"[We had] one player less, but the spectators and the fans were supporting us every minute throughout the match," said Feras Al Buraikan, the match-winner and a suitable Al Ahli hero.

"We are very grateful to their support - and their support from the beginning to end. We are grateful to God and, thanks to you all, the AFC Champions League title is still in Jeddah."

Even for those who’d mis-stepped on the night, the backing from the stands brought with it a power of positivity.

"I feel proud of the public's support for me," offered Zakaria Hawsawi, whose 68th-minute dismissal had complicated Al Ahli’s quest for consecutive crowns. "I apologise to them for what happened today. God willing, the next one will be better."

Whatever happens, you can count on that support being there. Long before Hawsawi’s moment of madness, Al Ahli supporters had begun to fill Alinma Stadium, some arriving as early as seven hours from kick-off.

And they were around much later, too. Thousands lined the Jeddah streets beyond 4am on Sunday, serenading Al Ahli's delegation as they crawled along in celebration during the open-top bus parade.

By then, Sporting Director Rui Pedro Braz had already declared: "A victory we wouldn't have achieved without the fans. They are the supporting force for this great club."

He later added: "When everyone comes together, this club is unstoppable."

Presumably, that much was recognised by everyone at the club, from top to bottom. And on the pitch a few hours before.

"Second time, back-to-back. Let's go," screamed star striker Ivan Toney as he shot a video for the Asian Football Confederation’s official social media.

Turning towards the droves delighting in the stands behind, the 2025-26 RSL's current top scorer underlined: "And we couldn’t do it without these [supporters]."

No doubt about that. For the second time in 12 months, not only was Jeddah green, but Asia also. Undeniably, irrefutably, the collective had hauled Al Ahli across the line.

"Playing in Jeddah in front of our passionate fans was one of the reasons we achieved the Champions League - two titles," Jaissle explained. "I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy."