Machida's strength comes from unity, says Kuroda

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Machida's strength comes from unity, says Kuroda

Jeddah: FC Machida Zelvia head coach Go Kuroda credited his players’ unity for their 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club on Friday as the Japanese club advanced to the continental semi-finals for the first time at the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Tete Yengi’s 31st minute goal separated the teams at the end of a tense clash at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium and Machida will face either Thailand’s Buriram United or Shabab Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday for a berth in the final.

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Al Ittihad's Conceicao rues missed opportunity

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Al Ittihad's Conceicao rues missed opportunity

Jeddah: Al Ittihad head coach Sergio Conceicao was left frustrated by his team’s inability to break down the FC Machida Zelvia defence as the Saudi Pro League side exited the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Friday.

The Portuguese tactician saw his team lose out as a result of a 31st minute Tete Yengi strike that took the Japanese side into a semi-final against either Thailand's Buriram United or Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates while Al Ittihad’s hopes of a third continental crown evaporated.

Progression is what matters for Al Ahli’s Jaissle, Kessie

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Progression is what matters for Al Ahli’s Jaissle, Kessie

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle and Franck Kessie were in agreement that progress to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ took precedence over the performance of Al Ahli Saudi FC in their quarter-final on Friday.

The 2-1 win against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim was secured following a tough fight, with Ali Majrashi’s red card in the 37th minute putting Al Ahli on the back foot but the defending champions showed plenty of mettle as they came from behind to seal progress.

Munoz proud of JDT despite heartbreaking exit

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Munoz proud of JDT despite heartbreaking exit

Jeddah: Xisco Munoz expressed pride in his players despite Johor Darul Ta’zim’s exit from the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ after Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Al Ahli Saudi FC in the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard expressed satisfaction at how JDT competed against the reigning champions on their home turf at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Munoz also revealed that stricken forward Jairo - who got a kick to the face that resulted in Al Ahli’s Ali Majrashi being shown the red card - was not in harm’s way.

Q-final: Yengi strike keeps Machida Zelvia's dream run going

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Q-final: Yengi strike keeps Machida Zelvia's dream run going

Jeddah: FC Machida Zelvia advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Friday as Tete Yengi’s deflected strike earned the Japanese side a 1-0 win over former champions Al Ittihad Club at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.

The Australian forward stuck in the 31st minute to take the J1 League side into the last four for the first time and set up a semi-final encounter with either Thailand’s Buriram United or Shabab Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates.

Machida’s win came after an eventful second half that saw Al Ittihad hit the woodwork twice but Go Kuroda’s tournament debutants held on to progress to the disappointment of the majority in the crowd of more than 16,000 spectators.

Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track

Jeddah: Ten-man Al Ahli Saudi FC came from behind to edge Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ quarter-final on Friday to move a step closer towards retaining their title.

JDT shocked Al Ahli with the opener from an Ali Majrashi own goal with the right-back then sent off for serious foul play but the Jeddah-based outfit equalised before half-time thanks to a Franck Kessie header.

Galeno produced a brilliant piece of magic after the interval with his superb long range strike sending Al Ahli through to a semi-final encounter with Japan’s Vissel Kobe on Monday.