It had only been done once before in almost a quarter of a century.
As of Saturday evening, Al Ahli have now become the second back-to-back champions in AFC Champions League Elite history -- overcoming Machida Zelvia with a 1-0 extra-time victory in this season's final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium to successfully retain their status as kings of Asian football.
Firas Al-Buraikan came off the bench to emerge as the hero for Al Ahli with the only goal of the contest in the 96th minute, with Al Ahli's triumph all the more impressive considering they had played with a numerical deficit for almost an hour following a red card to Zakaria Hawsawi.
In the end, there was to be no dream ending to Machida's fairytale run in their first foray in continental competition -- but they can certainly look back on their journey with plenty of pride, especially given the way they more than matched it with the Saudi Pro League powerhouses in the decider.
Instead, it was some familiar faces who were once again celebrating at the conclusion of the tournament for a second season running.
A year ago, it was the famous trio of Riyad Mahrez, Édouard Mendy and the since-departed Roberto Firmino who became the first players to taste continental success in both Europe and Asia.
From Saturday, Mahrez, Mendy and other notable names such as Franck Kessié and Ivan Toney can now claim to be two-time champions of Asia.
Yet, for all of their imported star power, it would be the homegrown Al-Buraikan who produced the most pivotal play in a final that originally looked to have gotten away from Al Ahli.
In what proved to be a battle of attrition, hardly surprising considering the supremely well-organised Machida had not conceded in the quarterfinals and semifinals, clear-cut chances were at a premium.
The earliest such opportunity arrived after 13 minutes when an incisive first-time pass from Enzo Millot sent Galeno on the breakaway down the left. In trademark fashion, the Brazilian livewire cut inside onto his right foot only to be thwarted by a smart save down flow by Kosei Tani -- before a crucial intervention from Daihachi Okamura prevented Toney from reaching the rebound with the goal gaping.
Galeno was prominent again three minutes the break when he swung in a dangerous cross from the left that caused pandemonium inside the Machida box, but some desperate defending from the J1 League upstarts kept Al Ahli at bay as Kotaro Hayashi made a crucial block to deflect Merih Demiral's close-range attempt onto the bar.
Six minutes after the hour mark, the match took a huge twist.
As they squared up on the touchline, having had an in-play battle moments earlier, Tete Yengi's squaring-up to Hawsawi instigated a moment of madness from the latter as he violently headbutted Machida's Australian striker -- leaving referee Ilgiz Tantashev no other option but to show him a straight red.
With the numerical advantage, Machida might have snatched the win nine minutes from time when Yuki Soma cut in from the left and fired away a low drive that forced Mendy in action, before Hiroyuki Mae's follow-up effort from the edge of the box was blocked by his own team-mate in Yengi.
As regulation time expired and another 30 minutes were added to the clock, it did seem like the momentum had now fully swung Machida's way.
But to Al Ahli coach Matthias Jaissle's credit, he continued to ask for his players to show endeavour in possession and adventure going forward.
And, just six minutes into extra-time, the ten men of Al Ahli found the breakthrough.
Mahrez, who had been virtually anonymous in the second half of the 90, showed why a player of his ilk only needs a moment to change the game.
Creating space for himself down the right, the ex-Manchester City star then hung a tantalising ball up in the area that sailed over a sea of players and landed perfectly for Kessié at the far post.
Having done well to bring the ball down from an awkward, Kessié was just about to pull the trigger when he was beaten to the punch by Al-Buraikan -- who instinctively swung his left foot at the bouncing ball to lash an unstoppable strike into the back of the net.
With their defence finally penetrated for the first time in the ACL Elite finals, Machida now had to go for broke as it was Al Ahli's turn to show their defence was made of stern stuff. And it did mean Machida were leaving huge gaps at the back that could potentially be exploited by the likes of Galeno and Mahrez.
The former could have killed off the contest in the 116th minute on one such sweeping foray forward, winning a 50-50 ball near the halfway line to earn a clear path down the left -- only to blaze over after cutting inside his opponent.
Then, as the clock hit the 120th minute, Machida had one final opportunity to stay alive.
Coming out of his goal to claim a delivery from the left, Mendy -- contesting the aerial situation with three others, including two of his own defenders -- then spilled it loose.
Nonetheless, before any Machida attacker could hunt the loose ball down, an alert Demiral was on hand to hack the ball clear inside the six-yard box -- effectively securing the victory for his side.
Al Ahli have had far prettier wins. They certainly have had more dominant results.
Still, when silverware is on the line, sometimes the stuff of champions simply requires sheer resolve.
With a gritty, backs-against-the-wall victory that -- after the 68th minute -- was arguably against the odds, Al Ahli are now two-time ACL Elite champions -- and the first to do it in consecutive campaigns since compatriots Al Ittihad in 2004 and 2005.