Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli's hard work, vision paying off

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli's hard work, vision paying off

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa heralded the work done by the club’s hierarchy as the Emirati outfit returned to the upper reaches of the continental championship on Tuesday as a 3-0 win over Tractor FC booked a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™.

Second half goals from Yuri Cesar, Saeid Ezatolahi and Mateusao following a 52nd minute red card for Tractor goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saw the Dubai-based outfit progress to the quarter-finals, where they will meet Thailand's Buriram United on Friday.

The club previously reached the last eight of the continental championship in 2015, two years prior to Al Ahli’s merger with Al Shabab and Dubai to form Shabab Al Ahli, and Sousa said qualification had been a long-held goal.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-tractor-fc-irn-0-3-shabab-al-ahli-uae

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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: Tractor FC (IRN) 0-3 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Wed, 15 Apr, 2026

R16: Tractor FC (IRN) 0-3 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Tuesday with a 3-0 win over 10-man Tractor FC from the Islamic Republic of Iran to set up a clash with Thailand's Buriram United.

Alireza Beiranvand’s 52nd minute sending off for a foul on Sardar Azmoun turned the game in favour of Paulo Sousa’s Emirati side with Yuri Cesar scoring from the penalty spot 13 minutes later before Saeid Ezatolahi doubled the lead 10 minutes from time.
 
Mateusao put the seal on Shabab Al Ahli’s victory with his side’s third eight minutes into stoppage time.
 
The win takes the side from Dubai into the last eight for the first time since 2015 and Sousa’s team will meet the reigning Thai champions at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium on Friday.

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. 

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.