Rahimi shines as Al-Ain clinches Asian Champions League title

Al-Ain secured their second Asian Champions League title with a stunning 5-1 victory over Yokohama FM in the second leg final on Saturday, overturning a 2-1 deficit from the first leg. The Emirati club owes much of its success to the phenomenal performance of Moroccan striker Soufiane Rahimi.

Rahimi, who has been a standout throughout the competition, delivered a match-winning display with two goals, an assist, and a crucial penalty.

The former Raja Casablanca star wasted no time making an impact, scoring just eight minutes into the game after a swift counter-attack (1-0, 8th minute).

The Moroccan forward continued to torment the Yokohama FM defense, drawing a penalty that was calmly converted by Gamarra in the 33rd minute, giving Al-Ain the aggregate lead.

Although Yokohama FM managed to level the aggregate score before halftime, Rahimi was not done yet.

In the 67th minute, Rahimi found the back of the net again, threading the ball through a tight space to make it 3-1, putting Al-Ain firmly back in control.

His influence extended into stoppage time, where he assisted Togolese striker Kodjo Fo Doh Laba for an express double (90+1, 90+5).

Rahimi’s exceptional campaign saw him finish as the top scorer with 13 goals, tying the record for most goals in a single edition of the Asian Champions League, a record held by Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah and Brazilian Muriqui.

RAHIMI MESSI GOAAAAAAAAAAAAL 🔥🔥🔥🔥🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦
IL EST EN TRAIN D’ÉCRIRE L’HISTOIRE ! pic.twitter.com/dh2do0vz5o
— SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) May 25, 2024

This victory also secures Al-Ain a spot in the 2025 Club World Cup, adding further prestige to their triumph.

The Moroccan forward’s stellar performance in the tournament has undoubtedly caught the eye of many clubs, but with Al-Ain heading to the Club World Cup, there is a compelling reason for Rahimi to stay.

As Al-Ain celebrates this historic win, Rahimi’s contribution will be remembered as one of the key factors in their successful campaign.

Al-Ain’s remarkable turnaround and Rahimi’s monstrous display have not only brought joy to their fans but also set a high standard in the Asian football arena.

The team’s victory and Rahimi’s individual brilliance are sure to be talked about for a long time, marking this season as a memorable chapter in the club’s history.