April 22 – Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia beat the UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli 1-0 to set up a an AFC Champions League Elite final against reigning champions Al Ahli Saudi on Saturday in Jeddah.
Machida striker Yuki Soma, restored to the line-up having missed the quarter final win over Al Ittihad, wasted no time making an impact.
Preying on Bogdan Planic’s underhit backpass, Soma intercepted the ball and pushed it away from goalkeeper Hamad Almeqbali before scoring in the 12th minute.
Three minutes later Soma was at the centre of the action again. His free kick saw Almeqbali scrambling to keep out Erik’s effort from close range.
Shabab Al Ahli grew into the game with Guilherme Bala forcing a save from Kosei Tani while Kauan Santos hit the top of the crossbar.
Shabab Al Ahli kept up the pressure in the second half with a Bala header bouncing into the arms of Tani and Adil heading over the bar unchallenged.
In the 64th minute Bala scored a header from Yuri Cesar’s cross, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
It wasn’t to be Shabab’s night. With clock deep into stoppage time, Bala’s strike from the edge of the box was ruled out following another VAR review.
On Saturday at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Riyadh, Machida face a local team looking to rewrite the Asian Champions League record books.
Al Ahli Saudi coach Mattias Jaissle said that matching the landmark of consecutive Champions League wins was not a primary focus.
“It’s not in our head,” said Jaissle. “We’re only focusing on us. We want to make it happen again, back-to-back titles are a huge goal now and being there is already a marvellous achievement.
“If you’re there you want to make the last step. That’s the clear mindset and I think every players has that already. If you saw them in the locker room then you would know.”
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