(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Machida Zelvia to Face Al-Ahli Saudi FC in AFC Champions League Elite Final
The AFC Champions League Elite is set to conclude this Saturday with Japan’s Machida Zelvia taking on Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli in the final in Jeddah.
Machida Zelvia, appearing in the competition for the first time, secured their place in the final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Shabab Al-Ahli in the semifinal.
The match featured late drama when Shabab Al-Ahli appeared to score an equalizer in stoppage time. However, the goal was disallowed following a video review, which determined that play had resumed before a substitution was completed. The decision led to strong reactions from players and coaching staff after the final whistle.
Attendance for the semifinal was limited, with fewer than 400 spectators present. This contrasted sharply with the other semifinal, where over 44,000 fans watched Al-Ahli defeat Vissel Kobe 2-1 to book their place in the final.
Tournament Faced Scheduling Challenges
This year’s tournament experienced disruptions due to regional tensions, which led to scheduling adjustments. Some knockout matches in the western region were postponed and played as single-leg fixtures instead of the usual two-leg format.
Despite initial uncertainty around team travel, Machida Zelvia successfully advanced through the competition and now stands just one match away from winning its first major continental title.
Focus on the Final
Machida head coach Go Kuroda expressed confidence in his team’s performance so far, highlighting their consistency and composure throughout the tournament. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus ahead of the final.
With both teams aiming for continental success, the final is expected to deliver an exciting conclusion to the competition.
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