Shaikh Salman hails Central Coast Mariners in fitting AFC Cup finale
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Central Coast Mariners on securing their first-ever AFC Cup™ title after the Australian side defeated Lebanon's Al Ahed 1-0 in a thrilling Final at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Stadium in Muscat, Oman on Sunday.
As the Mariners hoisted the AFC Cup™ trophy for the last time, Sunday's victory marked the end of an era for Asian club football with the 20-year-old competition setting the path for the new and improved revamped three-tier club competition structure later this year.
"Central Coast Mariners' triumph is a testament to the team's hard work, resilience, and unwavering spirit throughout this edition of the AFC Cup™," said Shaikh Salman.
"The match showcased the true passion of Asian club football with skill, determination and sportsmanship captivating audiences across the Continent.
"I convey my heartiest congratulations to the players, the technical and backroom staff members, Football Australia and of course the fans on their remarkable achievement in joining the roll of AFC Cup™ honours.
"We must also praise Al Ahed FC for their competitive spirit throughout the campaign and their inspiring performance in what will be remembered as an outstanding final chapter to one of the success stories of Asian club football."
The AFC President also paid tribute to the role of the AFC Cup™ in providing an unrivalled competitive Continental platform and exposure for Member Associations and Participating Clubs to raise their standards over the years.
"Since its inception two decades ago, the AFC Cup™ has embodied the spirit of competition, unity and aspiration of the AFC's Member Associations and their clubs.
"The AFC Cup™ has played a vital role in strengthening the landscape of Asian club football and while we now bid farewell, we acknowledge the solid foundations laid by the competition and all the clubs whose standards have been uplifted throughout the 19 editions, paving the way for a more vibrant club competition structure later this year," added Shaikh Salman.
"The new club competitions will see more prize money, incentives and global exposure on offer, elevating the level of Asian football and enhancing its overall commercial appeal, and represent a transformative step in line with the AFC's Vision and Mission. Indeed, Asian club football is well poised to be under greater spotlight in the years to come."
Syria's Al Jaish lifted the trophy in the inaugural 2004 edition, whilst Kuwaiti clubs have been the most successful with four titles. Teams from Iraq and Jordan have won the trophy on three occasions, while Bahraini, and Syrian clubs have sealed the coveted crown twice.
The Mariners, Uzbek club FC Nasaf (2011) and Malaysian outfit Johor Darul Ta'zim (2015) are the only three teams from outside West Asia to have clinched the title.