- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
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.
© AAP
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.