Sakai calls for bravery; Toney confident of delivering

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Sakai calls for bravery; Toney confident of delivering

Jeddah: Vissel Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai has called on his teammates to be brave when they take on star-studded defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Final Jeddah 2026™ at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday.

The Japanese club are attempting to qualify for the final for the first time after seeing off Qatar’s Al Sadd SC in a penalty shoot-out in the previous round and next face an Al Ahli side featuring the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney and Franck Kessie.

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S-final - Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

S-final - Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC head coach Matthias Jaissle has called on his players to deliver their finest performance against Vissel Kobe in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ as the title holders look to book a return trip to the final.

The Saudi side showed their battling qualities to fight back from a goal down to defeat Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta’zim in the quarter-finals despite playing most of the match with 10 men and Jaissle expressed his desire to see his team excel in all departments to see off the Japanese outfit.

Q-finals: Facts & Figures

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Q-finals: Facts & Figures

Jeddah: The quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ concluded on Saturday with fans treated to four scintillating matches.

There was joy for the teams which advanced while the dreams of the losing sides were dashed.

The-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the quarter-finals.

Sousa pleased to see Shabab Al Ahli pass stiff test

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Sousa pleased to see Shabab Al Ahli pass stiff test

Jeddah: Head coach Paulo Sousa was overjoyed after seeing Shabab Al Ahli pass a stern test by defeating Buriram United 3-2 on Saturday to stay on track for the AFC Champions League Finals Jeddah 2026™ title.

Portuguese tactician Sousa, who saw his team were on the ropes after Buriram clawed back from 2-0 down to draw level, showed his tactical acumen by sending on Sultan Adil and Sergio Damian - a move which saw the UAE side wresting back control. 

Buriram’s set-play frailties frustrate Jackson

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Buriram’s set-play frailties frustrate Jackson

Jeddah:  For the second successive season, Buriram United bid goodbye to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ at the quarter-final stage after their 3-2 defeat to Shabab Al Ahli on Saturday.

Head coach Mark Jackson admitted he was exasperated after watching the Thai side struggle to cope with Shabab’s set-piece proficiency with all three goals conceded from corner kicks.

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.