A Historic Asian Champions League Final
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – In a dramatic conclusion to the Asian Champions League Elite, tournament newcomers Machida Zelvia from Japan faced a heart-wrenching defeat in the final. The Japanese side was defeated 1-0 by Al Ahli Saudi, the reigning champions of Saudi Arabia, on Saturday at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah. The match was filled with tension, determination, and moments that will be remembered by fans for years to come.
Machida Zelvia, under the guidance of coach Go Kuroda, made history by reaching the final after just two campaigns in the J-League first division. Their journey to the final was marked by resilience and strong performances, especially against other Japanese teams like Vissel Kobe in the semifinals. However, their dream of lifting the trophy came to an end in a closely contested match.
Key Moments and Turning Points
The game saw several pivotal moments that shaped its outcome. In the 68th minute, Al Ahli Saudi found themselves down to ten men after Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off for headbutting Tete Yengi. This gave Machida Zelvia a numerical advantage, but they were unable to capitalize on it. Instead, it was Al Ahli’s Brazilian winger Galeno who had a chance to open the scoring in the 13th minute. His one-on-one opportunity was denied by a remarkable save from Machida goalkeeper Kosei Tani.
Machida’s defense, led by captain and former Japan international Gen Shoji, held firm throughout the first half. Al Ahli’s Merih Demiral had a close-range shot blocked, and his follow-up attempt skimmed the crossbar in a chaotic goalmouth scramble. The first half ended without a goal, with both sides showing strong defensive tactics.
In the second half, the momentum shifted when Hawsawi received a red card, giving Machida a man advantage. Despite this, they struggled to convert their pressure into goals. Hiroyuki Mae’s long-range shot was palmed away by Al Ahli keeper Edouard Mendy, while Yuki Soma’s effort inside the box was also denied. These missed chances would haunt Machida in the later stages of the match.
The Decisive Moment
The breakthrough came in the 96th minute when a cross from Riyad Mahrez was controlled by Franck Kessie at the far post. Feras Al Brikan then seized the opportunity to score the decisive goal, putting Al Ahli Saudi ahead. This goal proved to be the difference as Machida struggled to find a response.
With the clock ticking down, Machida made substitutions in an attempt to change the course of the game. In the 103rd minute, substitute Henry Heroki Mochizuki headed wide from Soma’s cross, coming closest to equalizing. Galeno also had a chance to extend Al Ahli’s lead in the 116th minute, but his shot went over the bar.
Post-Match Reflections
Speaking after the match, Mochizuki expressed his disappointment but also acknowledged the team’s efforts. “The match wasn’t going in a bad way for us as we kept them away from scoring. But we couldn’t get back into the match after conceding,” he said. He also highlighted the team’s defensive strength throughout the tournament. “Honing our attacks to better those of our rivals is one way of winning the tournament.”
Despite the loss, Machida Zelvia’s journey to the final represents a significant milestone for the club. Their performance in the Asian Champions League has demonstrated their potential and set the stage for future success. For Al Ahli Saudi, the victory marks another chapter in their storied history, reinforcing their status as one of the continent’s top football clubs.
