Hernan Crespo urges Al Ain fans to cheer team to ACL final victory against Yokohama

Hernan Crespo says Al Ain believe in their bid to capture the Asian Champions League trophy, but called on the UAE club’s supporters to make Saturday night as difficult as possible for final opponents Yokohama F Marinos.

The Adnoc Pro League side, the Emirates’ sole Asian champions, go into the second leg against their Japanese opponents needing to win at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium following a 2-1 defeat in Yokohama two weeks ago.

Al Ain are attempting to lift the continental crown for the first time since their celebrated 2003 success. This year represents their four Champions League final in all, with the Garden City club finishing runners-up in 2005 and 2016.

Speaking on Friday evening in front of a packed press conference at the club, Crespo said: “We believe. But we need to play 100 per cent because the opponent is a great opponent.

“And we need our fans. We need to live this final. We need it to be hot. Our idea is to try to fight and achieve this glory moment.

“We understand how important it is for the club. I don’t want to say it’s the most important game of Al Ain’s history, but it will be in the top three. And we have a great opportunity, a great responsibility, and we can do it. We can do it.”

Al Ain have enjoyed an impressive record at home in this season's Champions League. They have triumphed in all but one of their six matches at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, with notable wins in the previous two rounds against Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Nassr and Al Hilal.

Al Ain’s main man Soufiane Rahimi with a few skills pre-training. Good to see Erik back ready for #ACLFinal having been in tears at missing 1st leg. #ACL pic.twitter.com/jnxTDBiyc7

“Nothing changed about our approach for the game,” Crespo said. “We play at