Sports

AFC Champions League: Al Ain's Rahimi wins Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer awards

26 May 2024 00:07

AL AIN (WAM)

Soufiane Rahimi won the AFC Champions League 2023-24 Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards - his 13 goals playing a pivotal role in Al Ain FC winning the title on Saturday.

The Moroccan scored twice in the 5-1 win against Yokohama F. Marinos in Saturday's second leg, as his team emerged winners for the second time after having lifted the title in the inaugural edition in 2003.

Rahimi matched the record for most goals in a single AFC Champions League season, shared by Guangzhou FC’s Muriqui (2013), FC Seoul’s Adriano (2016) and Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (2018).

[Read full match report]

The Moroccan opened his account in the 4-2 group stage win over Ahal FC of Turkmenistan, before netting once each in the fixtures against Saudi Arabia's Al Fayha, followed by a strike against Ahal FC in their concluding match.

Rahimi was at his devastating best in the Round of 16 return leg against Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf, scoring the winner in the second minute of added time with the score tied at 1-1.