April 26 – Al Ahli Saudi beat Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia 1-0 to retain their AFC Champions League Elite title at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah with a goal scored by substitute Feras Al Brikan six minutes into extra time.
Al Ahli are only the second team to win consecutive AFC Champions League titles and they did so in front of a 58,984 crowd in their home city.
But it wasn’t plain sailing for the Saudis who had Zakaria Hawsawi sent off in the 68th minute with the score at 0-0.
Both teams were unchanged from their quarter finals and it was Al Ahli who dominated the game early on.
Roger Ibanez fired from distance with 90 seconds on the clock while moments later Galeno had an attempt that missed the goal. Galeno had a shot well saved again later in the half, while Merih Demiral hit the top of the crossbar just before the break.
Machida had once again been set up to defend and the second half began with more Al Ahli pressure.
Ivan Toney was just wide in the 66th minute. Two minutes later Hawsawi headbutted Tete Yengi in full view of the referee and was shown the red card.
The extra man advantage sparked Machida into more forward action. Hiroyuki Mae unleashed a shot from 25 yards in the 73rd minute that Al Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy palmed away. He then then kept out quarter final hero Yuki Soma’s curling shot.
The winning goal finally arrived in added time. Riyad Mahrez cut in from the right to cross towards the far post. Frankie Kessie laid the ball off to Al Brikan to hammer the ball home.
AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Al Ahli saying: “Becoming the first team to win consecutive titles in this new ACL Elite era is a landmark achievement and testament to the club’s incredible vision.”
He also praised the Saudi organisers who had hosted the rearranged qualifying matches of the league stage that had been suspended die to the US war on Iran,
“Hosting the finest clubs in Asia is a massive undertaking, and the SAFF have once again proven why they are a global leader in staging major sporting events,” said Salman.
“The state-of-the-art facilities, the seamless logistical support, and the vibrant atmosphere in Jeddah have provided the perfect stage for our elite players to shine. This success is a result of the strong partnership between the AFC and the SAFF.”
The AFC is back in Saudi in January 2027 for the finals of the Asian Cup.
Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]
