Al Ahli retain Asian Champions League Elite title
Al Ahli champion of Asia 2026.. “Al Raqi” wins with ten men and retains title for second consecutive season
Saudi Al Ahli Jeddah team achieved the AFC Champions League Elite title for the second consecutive season, after defeating Japan’s Machida Zelvia by a single goal in the final match held at Al-Inmaa Stadium in Jeddah.
“Al Raqi” clinched the title despite the expulsion of one of its players in the 68th minute. With this victory, Al Ahli became the second Saudi team to win the tournament in two consecutive editions, matching the achievement of its neighbor Al Ittihad Jeddah in the 2004-2005 seasons.
Al Ahli wins with ten men
The match ended with Al Ahli winning by a single goal, scored by Saudi striker Feras Al Buraikan in the 96th minute, assisted by Franck Kessie. The match witnessed the sending off of Al Ahli player Zakaria Hawsawi in the 68th minute after he struck the head of a Japanese player.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Al Ahli held on until the end and secured the victory, as the Japanese team failed to score and could not exploit the player advantage, especially given that Japanese teams are typically superior physically.
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The goal with Issam Al-Shawali’s commentary..
Al Ahli’s first goal against Machida Zelvia scored by Feras Al Buraikan..
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#AlAhli_Machida_Zelvia
pic.twitter.com/Y5vDBenYqu https://t.co/Cf9bE43mUn— Saeed ALHejaili (@saeed3373) April 25, 2026
Revenge for Al Ittihad
Al Ahli’s victory over Machida serves as revenge for its neighbor Al Ittihad, which had lost to the same Japanese team in the quarter-finals by a single goal. That match witnessed controversial refereeing incidents, most notably the disallowance of a goal for Al Ittihad.
Al Ahli equals Al Ittihad’s titles
With this victory, Al Ahli raised its tally of Asian championships to two titles, equaling Al Ittihad’s record. This title is also the eighth for Saudi clubs in the tournament’s history under its various names.
Al-Faraj’s comments
Media personality Walid Al-Faraj commented on the victory with a tweet on his “X” account, writing: “Respect for the tournament, masculinity, enthusiasm, and ambition. Respect for the men, for history, for determination, for creativity. Respect for Al Ahli, its history, and its fans. Congratulations to the Kingdom.”
Al Ahli player Franck Kessie receiving the Best Player award of the #AFC_Champions_League_Elite #AlAhli_Machida | #AlEkhbariya_Sports pic.twitter.com/HdD8XlZhSQ
— Al Ekhbariya – Sports (@alekhbariyaSPO) April 25, 2026
Kessie best player.. Mendy loses goalkeeper award
Ivorian Franck Kessie won the Best Player award for the tournament, after providing the assist for the winning goal in today’s match. In contrast, Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy did not win the Best Goalkeeper award, despite his prominent role in the team’s title win, as the award went to Kosei Tani, Machida’s goalkeeper.
The same scenario repeated for Mendy, as he had also lost the award during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite Senegal winning the title, with Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou taking the honor.
Mahrez: The match was difficult and the Japanese team played defensively
Commenting on today’s victory, Riyad Mahrez, Al Ahli’s winger, said the match was difficult against a physically fit opponent, adding that the Japanese team played very defensively. He explained that the team struggled after Zakaria Hawsawi’s red card but remained composed and secured the win.
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Al Ahli’s full coronation with Issam Al-Shawali’s commentary..
Al Ahli is the Elite Asia champion..
pic.twitter.com/huoYXVNtxp https://t.co/E5b5dFuyt1
— Saeed ALHejaili (@saeed3373) April 25, 2026
Preparation for Al Nassr match in the league
After the Asian title, Al Ahli faces a new challenge in the Roshn Saudi Pro League, where it sits in third place with 66 points, two points behind second-placed Al Hilal and ten points behind leaders Al Nassr, with a postponed match in hand. Al Ahli is scheduled to face Al Nassr next Wednesday in round 30 of the league competition.
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