Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia retained the AFC Champions League Elite title on Saturday. Al Ahli beat Japan’s Machida Zelvia 1-0 after extra time in Jeddah.

Saudi striker Firas Al-Burikan scored the only goal in a tense final. About 60,000 fans, mostly supporting Al-Ahli, watched at the stadium.

Al-Ahli played with 10 men for almost an hour but still held on. Machida could not use the extra player to take control. The match ended level after 90 minutes, then moved into extra time. The decisive moment arrived early in the added period and changed the result.

AFC Champions League Elite final decided by extra-time strike

The deadlock ended in the sixth minute of extra time. Former Barcelona and AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie set up the chance. Franck Kessie laid the ball back for Al-Burikan in the box. Al-Burikan hit a high finish from close range to beat the goalkeeper.

Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez spoke after the win. “Its 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 dont 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.”

Chances were limited during the first half. Al-Ahli, owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, threatened first. Brazilian winger Galeno ran through the Machida back line. Goalkeeper Kosei Tani saved Galeno’s low shot. Near half-time, Merih Demiral’s close effort was cleared off the line.

AFC Champions League Elite red cards shift momentum

Midway through the second half, Al-Ahli lost Zakaria Hawsawi. Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off for headbutting Tete Yangi. The incident happened as both players came together in front of the referee. After that decision, the match rhythm changed and Machida attacked more often.

Machida then pushed for a winner in normal time. Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made several saves under pressure. Normal time ended with more controversy. Al-Ahli substitute Mohammed Abdulrahman received a red card while on the sidelines. The score stayed 0-0 after 90 minutes.

The win placed Al-Ahli in a notable group of Asian champions. Al-Ahli became the first club to lift back-to-back Asian titles since city rival Al-Ittihad in 2005. Machida, playing a first final, fell short at the end. The Japanese side still reached a landmark stage in its club record.

AFC Champions League Elite organisers face disruption issues

Machida coach Go Kuroda said the loss came at a difficult moment. “We are very happy to have reached the final,” Machida coach Go Kuroda said. “Al-Ahli is a team that possesses experience in the championship and we conceded a goal at a difficult time and couldnt get back into the game.”

The tense final matched concerns seen across the tournament. From the quarterfinals, every match was played in Jeddah. Only 395 spectators watched Machida beat Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in the semifinal. The war in the Middle East also changed scheduling. Round-of-16 West Asia ties moved from March to April and switched to single matches.

There was also uncertainty about travel for East Asia teams in the knockout rounds. Despite those doubts, Tokyo Metropolis-based Machida travelled to Saudi Arabia and reached the title match. Machida has never won the J1 League. Al-Ahli, however, found the key goal in extra time and kept the crown.

With inputs from PTI