Saudi PIF-owned Al-Ahli beat Japanese rivals for AFC Champions League Elite history
Head coach Matthias Jaissle’s 10-man team overcome Machida Zelvia in Jeddah final to retain trophy
Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia successfully defended the AFC Champions League Elite crown after beating first-time finalists Machida Zelvia of Japan 1-0 on Saturday.
Al-Ahli played with 10 men for almost an hour but Machida were unable to make the advantage count.
“It’s amazing,” said Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez, who won the UEFA Champions League with Manchester City in 2023. “It was difficult for us again. We like to make it difficult for ourselves. Ten against 11 is nearly impossible, I don’t know how we found the strength and the energy ... After the red card we stuck together, we fought more, we ran more until we scored.”
There were few scoring opportunities in the first half although Al-Ahli, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, should have taken the lead when Brazilian winger Galeno broke free of the Machida defence only to see his low shot saved by goalkeeper Kosei Tani. Just before the break, Merih Demiral’s close-range effort was blocked on the line.
Al-Ahli were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off for headbutting Tete Yangi as the two came together in front of the referee.