Central Coast Mariners became the first Australian club to win the AFC Cup as Mark Jackson’s side triumphed 1-0 over Lebanon’s Al-Ahed to claim the trophy in Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Stadium.
Substitute Alou Kuol scored six minutes from time to seal the win in the Asian Football Confederation’s second-tier event in the last final before the region’s club tournaments undergo a significant revamp later in the year.
“I’m very happy for the win and to secure the trophy for Australia and for my club,” said Kuol, who was introduced off the bench in the 64th minute.
“(Jackson) said to give the boys energy and to work hard, work for the team and we got the reward for it.”
After more than 100,000km of travels and 13 matches, Mariners skipper Danny Vukovic was delighted to lift the trophy.
“So happy to win the AFC Cup,” he said.
“A big thank you to our opponents, Al-Ahed – they were amazing. Tough conditions, but we got the job done.
“And a big thank you to our supporters, they travelled all the way from Australia to support us – so a big shout out to our supporters.”
A tense and tepid game looked to be heading for extra time when Kuol latched onto Ronald Barcellos’ through pass to slip the ball between the legs of Al-Ahed goalkeeper Mostafa Matar to score.
Victory comes at the end of a week in which Central Coast clinched the A-League Premiership and Jackson’s side next face Sydney FC in the semi-finals of the domestic playoffs as they look to defend the A-League Championship title won last year.
There will be no time for Jackson’s side to rest: they face Sydney FC on Friday in the semi-finals as they look to defend their A-League Championship from last year.
Mariners became the second Australian club to win a continental trophy, following in the footsteps of Western Sydney Wanderers who lifted the Asian Champions League in 2014.
The AFC Cup will be scrapped as the confederation reconfigures club competitions across the continent, with the Asian Champions League Elite, Asian Champions League 2 and Asian Challenge League starting later in the year.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
So you don't think the clubs would agree to a draw between the finalists to determine the host city? This neutral venue crap has proven time and time again that most Asian countries do not care about watching a match involving clubs from other countries. I'm sick of watching tournaments hosted in empty stadiums. This was a final and the attendance looked like 100 people at best. Pathetic.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
Money in the coffers is great, but does anyone know how much it cost an A League team to compete in AFC? Overall, did they make money??
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Huge respect for what the little Aussie outfit has achieved :thumbup:
Brendan
Roar Pro
Singapore would have been a nice compromise.
Brendan
Roar Pro
The big question is… Will Lolley play?
pete4
Roar Rookie
Neutral venue I guess is only fair thing for a 1 off match final
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
No it isn't: "It was also recommended that the AFC Champions League winners, should they not qualify through their domestic league, be given a guaranteed spot in the Preliminary/Play-off place and the AFC Cup titleholders would be given an automatic ACL Preliminary/Play-off place as well." https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/news/more_member_associations_to_benefit_from_inclusive_afc_champions_league%C2%A0.html
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
Well done Mariners. This was a big boost to the Aleague and Aus football. How incompetent is the AFC playing this final in an empty stadium in Oman. What a joke! Do they not realise playing the final in an empty stadium diminishes the value of the product and the comp? Don't know what they've got planned for ACL2 next season but I think a better solution would be to have a draw after the finalists are known to determine the hosting club. This will at least ensure a full house or close to it. Clearly many Asian countries only care about supporting their own clubs and have no appetite for watching a final or any other match between two foreign clubs.
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
It’s a direct spot in the Asian Champions League Elite for winning the final.
Jordan Sports Fan
Roar Rookie
Wikipedia not giving much insight but itd be a qualifying spot rather than direct entry and my guess is either the runner up of AFC Cup but more likely Melb Victory per league position given Nix ineligible?
JoshW
Roar Rookie
Only one club could ever get there, luckily for the rest of the League they're a basket case and won't get near it anytime soon.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
a few weeks ago, I was talking football with my old boy, who is absolutely convinced football is EPL is all there is. So I asked him a question, when you watch tv do you watch ABC and no other channel? He looked at me as if there was something wrong with me and said, of course not, your mother and I watch a number of channels. So I asked a second question, why don't you change channels with football. Watching EPL only is not exactly understanding football in its true international context is it!! Make the effort to understand these new teams, who they are, where their from, I swear it will afford you a far better understanding of what football is, on a more international basis.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Having watched it Im only just up :happy: but congrats. Yes its a lower standard comp with LigA sides outranking a lot of others on paper BUT you still have to win it with all the ridiculous travel . The final was poor really and almost no crowd – East Asia needs to spin off! – but winning after all that is quite an achievement. Will be interesting to see how Sydney go in the ACL2 its equivalent. On another note Im really annoyed the first semi is Friday night, I want to beat CCM without any major excuses and they dont get back until Tuesday night I believe. :angry: I feel it wouldve been fairer to play Sunday at Commbank. I know that concedes a bit of our home advantage but so what? As other posters continually say :stoked: we often get extra advantages our way. For instance we know any CCM final will likely be in Sydney. Plus I dont see that much of advantage. Advantage comes from familiarity crowds and travel. Both of us will be barely affected by a switch to Commbank.
Waz
Roar Rookie
I guess the race is on to win all 5 then :stoked:
NoMates
Roar Rookie
The Big A-League clubs just don't take playing in Asia seriously.
Chopper07
Roar Rookie
You deserve it Middie
At work
Roar Rookie
Would have if they didn't scrap it for the ACL2, which will contain harder teams and more on the level of A League capabilities.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Japan have never had a club in the AFC cup , along with some other nations. Replace the AFC cup with Asian womens club championship . Japan then are the nation that have won all 4.
AGO74
Roar Rookie
Kudos to the Mariners on an amazing achievement all the more incredible for a club that lost its coach and a good portion of its best players from last season’s success all before this season began.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Macarthur did better in the group stage than the Mariners but they both lost a game. East Asia has only won once before this so not the strongest part of the AFC cup, why would SFC and Melb City struggle at the group stage.