After defeating Lebanese team Al-Ahed 1-0 in the AFC Cup final, Central Coast Mariners became just the second men’s team in the history of the A-League to win an Asian club championship.
The Mariners won the game and $2.3 million in prize money on Monday morning (AEST) at the Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex in Muscat, Oman, thanks to a goal in the 84th minute by substitute Alou Kuol.
After winning the A-League championship last Wednesday, the Mariners are still in the running for the triple crown.
Now, they’ll head back home to compete in the A-League finals series, where they’ll try to capture a second straight championship and a third trophy this season.
After Western Sydney Wanderers’ AFC Champions League victory in 2014, a 10-year drought for another A-League team to win an Asian title was over, as Mariners coach Mark Jackson remarked, “I always knew that we could come here and get the win.”
Although the boys faced a formidable opponent, the game was really challenging, but we have complete faith in them.
“It’s an incredible accomplishment for the boys, the staff, the entire team, and the fans as well.
“On to the next one now.”
Jackson gave his captain and goalie Danny Vukovic high marks for stopping Al-Ahed striker Lee Erwin with a spectacular save in the first half.
“Vuka made an incredible save—it was outstanding,” Jackson remarked.
How wonderful a leader he is for this football team; may that continue for a very long time.
He is an excellent addition to the club. He sets an exemplary example.
The Asian Football Confederation’s three tier men’s club championships, the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League 2, and AFC Challenge League, will replace the AFC Cup, which the Mariners will become the last team to win.
Thanks to their A-League championship, Central Coast will compete in the 2024–25 Champions League Elite phase.
