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. 

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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.

Q-final: Shabab Al Ahli stave off spirited Buriram to advance

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Q-final: Shabab Al Ahli stave off spirited Buriram to advance

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli needed extra time to see off Buriram United as the UAE side advanced to the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ semi-finals with a 3-2 win on Saturday.

Paulo Sousa’s side squandered a 2-0 lead which forced the quarter-final into extra time and had Renan Victor’s 93rd minute strike to thank as they set up a last four encounter with Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia on Tuesday.

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.

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.