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Preview - Q-final: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Al Ittihad Club (KSA)

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Preview - Q-final: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Al Ittihad Club (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad head coach Sergio Conceicao is hoping his team can show the same fighting spirit that saw the Saudi Arabian champions defeat Al Wahda FC to secure their place in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ when they face off against FC Machida Zelvia on Friday.

A penalty deep into stoppage time at the end of the second period of extra-time by Brazilian midfielder Fabinho sealed Al Ittihad’s progress to the quarter-finals and the club’s Portuguese tactician is banking on his players’ determination to prove decisive again.

Preview - Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Preview - Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Jeddah:  Matthias Jaissle is anticipating a tough encounter for his Al Ahli Saudi FC side against Johor Darul Ta’zim in their AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ quarter-final on Friday.

The defending champions went through the grind in their Round of 16 tie on Monday, needing extra-time to edge Qatar’s Al Duhail SC with the Saudi Arabian side’s tactician focused on ensuring his players are in their best condition for the match at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium.

Shoji to rely on experience; Fernandes calls for focus

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Shoji to rely on experience; Fernandes calls for focus

Jeddah: FC Machida Zelvia captain Gen Shoji will lean on his title-winning experience from 2018 as he leads the J1 League outfit into their AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ clash with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad on Friday with a place in the semi-finals on the line.

Central defender Shoji was a key member of the Kashima Antlers side that won the AFC Champions League title eight years ago against Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis and the former Japan international is determined to make an impact on the tournament once again.

Al Ahli’s Ibanez calm in the eye of the storm; Insa counting on unity to power JDT

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli’s Ibanez calm in the eye of the storm; Insa counting on unity to power JDT

Jeddah:  Al Ahli Saudi FC's Roger Ibanez and Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Natxo Insa are taking different approaches ahead of their sides' quarter-final meeting in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Friday. 

The experience of going all the way last season is guiding Ibanez on how Al Ahli Saudi will be approaching their title defence at the business end of the 2025/26 edition.

For Insa, unity is what the midfielder is counting on to steer the Malaysian side in what is their first appearance at this stage of the tournament.

Conceicao salutes Al Ittihad’s focus; Milanic proud of Al Wahda

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Conceicao salutes Al Ittihad’s focus; Milanic proud of Al Wahda

Jeddah: Sergio Conceicao attributed Al Ittihad Club’s progression to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ to the incredible drive of his players to cast aside immense pressure.

Fabinho overcame nerves to convert from the penalty spot in the dying seconds of extra-time as Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad ousted UAE's Al Wahda FC 1-0 following an evenly-matched 120 minutes of a tense Round of 16 encounter at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

Jeddah 2026 cast decided

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Jeddah 2026 cast decided

Jeddah: The AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ is set for takeoff following the conclusion of the West Zone's Round of 16 matches on Tuesday.

The quarter-final ties will be played between Thursday and Saturday, with matches to be contested at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.

R16: Al Ittihad Club (KSA) 1-0 Al Wahda FC (UAE)

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

R16: Al Ittihad Club (KSA) 1-0 Al Wahda FC (UAE)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad Club edged Al Wahda FC 1-0 to advance to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Tuesday.

Fabinho scored the winner from the penalty spot in the final seconds of extra-time as Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad booked a meeting with Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia in the quarter-finals on Friday. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-al-hilal-sfc-ksa-3-2-3-4-al-sadd-sc-qat

Mancini hails resilient Al Sadd; Al Hilal's Inzaghi rues elimination

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Mancini hails resilient Al Sadd; Al Hilal's Inzaghi rues elimination

Jeddah: Roberto Mancini was effusive in his praise after Al Sadd SC produced a remarkable performance to advance to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Monday.

The Qatari side came from behind thrice to force extra-time following a 3-3 draw and then saw off the challenge of favourites Al Hilal SFC with a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout.

Mahrez urges Al Ahli to stand and deliver

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Mahrez urges Al Ahli to stand and deliver

Jeddah: Riyad Mahrez has challenged his Al Ahli Saudi FC teammates to continue raising their performance after the defending champions booked their ticket to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Monday.

Mahrez's sublime free-kick in extra-time settled the nervy tie against Qatar's Al Duhail SC with Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli to face Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia in the quarter-finals on Friday.

R16: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 (2) - (4) 3 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

R16: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 (2) - (4) 3 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Jeddah: Al Sadd SC advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ with a 4-2 win on penalties after their Round of 16 tie against Al Hilal SFC ended 3-3 after extra-time on Monday.

Qatar’s Al Sadd amazingly came from behind three times at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium before completing the job against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the shootout to set up a last eight tie with Japan’s Vissel Kobe on Thursday. 

R16: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

R16: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Jeddah: Riyad Mahrez’s stunning extra-time free-kick took defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ with a 1-0 win over Qatar’s Al Duhail SC at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday.

The former Manchester City winger struck with three minutes left in the second period of extra-time after seeing a penalty from teammate Ivan Toney saved by Al Duhail’s Salah Zakaria that looked set to take a gripping last 16 clash into a shoot-out.
 
But Mahrez’s perfect strike from outside the penalty area eventually took Matthias Jaissle’s side through to the quarter-finals, where they will take on Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim on Friday.