JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia efficiently defended the AFC Champions League Elite crown after beating first-time finalist Machida Zelvia of Japan 1-0 on Saturday.
It took an extra-time purpose from Saudi worldwide striker Firas Al-Burikan to settle a bad-tempered last in entrance of 60,000 primarily Al Ahli followers in Jeddah.
Al Ahli performed with 10 males for nearly an hour however Machida was unable to make the benefit depend.
“It is wonderful,” mentioned Al Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, who gained the UEFA Champions League with Manchester Metropolis in 2023. “It was tough for us once more. We prefer to make it tough for ourselves.
“Ten in opposition to 11 is sort of unimaginable, I do not know the way we discovered the power and the power. … After the pink card we caught collectively, we fought extra, we ran extra till we scored.”
There have been few scoring alternatives within the first half though Al Ahli, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund, ought to have taken the lead when Brazilian winger Galeno broke freed from the Machida protection solely to see his low shot saved by goalkeeper Kosei Tani. Simply earlier than the break, Merih Demiral‘s close-range effort was blocked on the road.
Al Ahli was decreased to 10 males halfway by the second half when Zakaria Hawsawi was despatched off for headbutting Tete Yangi as the 2 got here collectively in entrance of the referee.
The dismissal shifted the momentum. Machida compelled Al Ahli goalkeeper Édouard Mendy into a number of saves. Regular time ended with Al Ahli substitute Mohammed Abdulrahman additionally proven a pink card whereas on the sidelines.
The impasse was damaged within the sixth minute of additional time when former Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessié laid the ball off for Al-Burikan to fireplace excessive into the web from shut vary.
Al Ahli grew to become the primary group to win back-to-back Asian titles since metropolis rival Al Ittihad in 2005.
“We’re very joyful to have reached the ultimate,” Machida coach Go Kuroda mentioned. “Al-Ahli is a group that possesses expertise within the championship and we conceded a purpose at a tough time and could not get again into the sport.”
The tetchy last mirrored points all through the match.
All video games from the quarterfinal stage onward have been staged in Jeddah, and solely 395 spectators attended Machida’s semifinal win over Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.
The warfare within the Center East postponed round-of-16 matches in West Asia from March to April and decreased them from two legs to at least one.
There have been doubts over whether or not East Asia groups would journey to Saudi Arabia for the knockout rounds, however Machida, which has by no means gained the J1 League, made membership historical past.
