Overview
- Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia won 1-0 after extra time in Jeddah on Saturday, defeating Japan’s debutants Machida Zelvia to keep the Asian Champions League Elite title.
- Substitute Feras Al-Buraikan struck in the 96th minute, finishing at close range after Riyad Mahrez’s deep cross and a Franck Kessie touch.
- Referee Ilgiz Tantashev showed two reds to Al-Ahli, sending off Zakaria Hawsawi for a headbutt on Tete Yengi in the 68th minute and later dismissing substitute Mohammed Abdulrahman from the bench.
- The final drew nearly 59,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City, capping a knockout phase staged entirely in Jeddah that concentrated support for the local club.
- The victory makes Al-Ahli the first back-to-back Asian champions since Al-Ittihad in 2005 and grants places in FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup this year and the expanded 2029 Club World Cup.