Al-Ahli Advances as Lone Saudi Hope in AFC Champions League Elite Semis
Al-Ahli stands as the sole remaining Saudi Arabian team in the final four of the prestigious AFC Champions League Elite competition. The club is set to clash with Japan's Vissel Kobe on Monday in a highly anticipated semifinal showdown. Meanwhile, the other semifinal will feature Japan's Machida Zelvia taking on Shabab Al-Ahli from the United Arab Emirates, with both matches determining who advances to the coveted final.
Al-Ahli's Gritty Victory Over Johor Darul Tazim
Al-Ahli, which secured its first-ever trophy in this tournament last May, faced a challenging battle against Malaysia's Johor Darul Tazim in Jeddah. The city is currently hosting the knockout stage of the event. The match took a dramatic turn early on when Al-Ahli defender Ali Majrashi scored an unfortunate own goal in the 19th minute, giving Johor the lead. Compounding the difficulty, Majrashi received a red card shortly after, leaving Al-Ahli with ten men for the majority of the game.
Just before halftime, former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie managed to equalize for Al-Ahli, providing a crucial boost. The winning goal came nine minutes into the second half, courtesy of Brazilian winger Galeno, sealing a hard-earned 2-1 victory for the Saudi side.
Al-Ahli coach Matias Jaissle commented on the intense match, stating, "We made it to the next round despite a tight and tough match. Never easy after a red card but the players showed great mentality and discipline with the fans giving us the extra boost."
Vissel Kobe's Penalty Shootout Triumph
Al-Ahli's upcoming opponent, Vissel Kobe, secured their semifinal spot after a thrilling encounter with Qatar's Al-Sadd. The match ended in a 3-3 draw, forcing a penalty shootout where Vissel Kobe emerged victorious. Al-Sadd coach Roberto Mancini reflected on the loss, saying, "I think in this game we deserved to win, but this is football and sometimes you lose when you deserve to win. When I took the team we were out of the AFC Champions League Elite, we were at the bottom of the table. We qualified for the finals, for this phase, but I can say nothing about the players. I was very proud of them."
Machida Zelvia's Historic Run Continues
In the other semifinal matchup, Machida Zelvia, participating in their first-ever AFC Champions League Elite tournament, achieved a significant upset by defeating two-time winner and defending Saudi Pro League champion Al-Ittihad 1-0. The lone goal was scored by Australian striker Tete Yengi in the 31st minute.
Machida coach Go Kuroda expressed pride in his team's performance, noting, "We were aware we weren't going to have many chances, so we made the most of our chances and kept a clean sheet. This is our game and I'm very proud of the team. In football there is a winner and a loser. This time we won but sometimes we lose as well. I think we were lucky today."
Shabab Al-Ahli's Victory Over Buriram United
Machida Zelvia will face Shabab Al-Ahli, who advanced to the semifinals after a narrow 3-2 victory over Thailand's Buriram United. This sets the stage for an exciting clash between the Japanese debutants and the experienced Emirati club.
The AFC Champions League Elite semifinals promise high-stakes football action as these top Asian clubs vie for a place in the final. Al-Ahli carries the hopes of Saudi Arabia as they prepare to take on Vissel Kobe, while Machida Zelvia and Shabab Al-Ahli battle for the other spot in the championship match.
