On April 25 in Jeddah, the AFC Champions League final determined the strongest club in Asia, pitting reigning champions Al-Ahli against Japan’s Machida Zelvia.
The match turned dramatic in the 68th minute when Al-Khawsawi of Al-Ahli received a red card, leaving his team with ten men. Despite being a player down, Al-Ahli demonstrated remarkable resilience, while Machida failed to make the most of their numerical advantage, mismanaging a corner routine just ten minutes later.
Fortune ultimately favored Al-Ahli in extra time, as Firas Al-Buraikan scored the decisive goal, securing the victory for Coach Jaisle’s team and allowing them to successfully defend their title as the continent’s best.
This final marked the fourth appearance for Al-Ahli in the championship history. Following earlier defeats in 1986 and 2012, the Saudi club celebrated its second consecutive title, having triumphed over another Japanese team, Kawasaki Frontale, last year.