Overview
- Machida will meet Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in the Asian Champions League Elite semifinal in Jeddah.
- Midfielder Mochizuki said the team will not chase a shootout and aims to control the match by keeping a clean sheet.
- Coach Kuroda said confidence grew from the last round and he wants goals from set pieces backed by J-League-honed defending.
- Machida reached the semifinal after a 1–0 win over local side Al Ittihad that came from a long throw-in routine.
- The Asian Champions League Elite is the region’s top club tournament, so a semifinal berth marks a major step for the club.