Know your coach: Matthias Jaissle (Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Know your coach: Matthias Jaissle (Al Ahli Saudi FC)

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle stands on the precipice of making history as he attempts to guide Al Ahli Saudi FC to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite™ title wins on Saturday.

While fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Ittihad Club bagged successive titles in 2004 and 2005, the first win came under the guidance of Dragan Talajic with Anghel Iordanescu then leading the successful title defence.

It opens the door for Jaissle to be the first head coach to win the biggest prize in Asian club football two years in a row.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3169691

Know your coach: Go Kuroda (Machida Zelvia)

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Know your coach: Go Kuroda (Machida Zelvia)

Jeddah: FC Machida Zelvia head coach Go Kuroda stands on the cusp of a remarkable achievement; three-and-a-half years after starting his first job in professional football, the 55-year-old is one win away from becoming an Asian champion.

Kuroda leads his J1 League outfit into Saturday’s AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ title decider with defending champions Al Ahli having taken an unconventional route to the summit of the continental scene.

Appointed ahead of the 2023 campaign with Machida still in Japan’s second division, Kuroda made his debut in professional football following three decades working in the unique environs of the country’s high school football scene.

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Road to Final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC are one match away from defending their title, with the Saudi Pro League side to face Japan's FC Machida Zelvia in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025/26™.

The Jeddah-based side are seeking to become just the second team in the AFC Champions League era to win back-to-back titles and the-AFC.com retraces their journey to Saturday's final.

Road to Final: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Wed, 22 Apr, 2026

Road to Final: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN)

Jeddah: FC Machida Zelvia are on the verge of adding another chapter to their history with the Japanese side to meet Al Ahli Saudi FC in the final of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025/26™.

Tournament debutants Machida have enjoyed a dream campaign and the-AFC.com looks back at the journey which has taken them to within one match of lifting Asian club football's ultimate prize.

Double desire for Al Nassr’s Coman, Jesus

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Double desire for Al Nassr’s Coman, Jesus

Dubai: Forward Kingsley Coman and head coach Jorge Jesus are keeping their focus firmly on the big prizes after Al Nassr Club booked their spot in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ final with an emphatic 5-1 win against Al Ahli SC on Wednesday.

Hat-trick hero Coman is determined that the climax to Al Nassr’s season will be by celebrating triumphs in the Saudi Pro League AFC Champions League Two, with Jesus emphasising that there will be no let up by his side in their pursuit of double glory. 

Kuwait SC make Jovovic proud

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026

Kuwait SC make Jovovic proud

Bishkek: Nebojsa Jovovic was delighted with Kuwait SC's response after they fought back to edge FC Muras United 2-1 in their AFC Challenge League 2025/26™ semi-final on Wednesday.

Trailing to Amir Zhaparov's spectacular effort from a free-kick, Kuwait SC roared back to score through Mohamed Marhoonand and El Mehdi Barrahma either side of half-time to set up a final showdown with Cambodia's Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.