Historic Al-Ahli beats Japan's Machida with Buraikan goal

Asia's elite go to the 'Fortress of Cups'

58,000 fans see the national representative to the second consecutive title

Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli were crowned champions of the Asian Champions League Elite for the second consecutive time, winning 1-0 against Japan's Machida Zelvia after extra time on Saturday evening in the final hosted by Al-Inma Stadium at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, giving Saudi clubs their eighth title. Al-Ahli, who played more than 50 minutes with 10 men after Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off (68'), owe their victory to Firas Al-Buraikan, who scored the only goal (96').

In front of more than 58,000 spectators, Al-Buraikan ignited the stands with a close-range shot after following up a ball from Ivorian Franck Kessie following a cross from Algerian Riyad Mahrez. Mahrez said after the match: 'We made it difficult for ourselves, I don't know how we found this energy, we are happy with what we presented.' He added: 'After the red card, we fought and were stronger and scored, and we are very happy.'

Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, the team captain, said: 'Playing for Al-Ahli is an honor. Look at the players and the fans, we did it twice in a row. We are the best team in the continent and the best representative of the Kingdom.' He added: 'We have the quality to beat any opponent, we have great abilities. Firas did it, we were able to prove that we are the best and we are happy to achieve the victory, which was achieved thanks to strong character.'

As the exhausted Al-Ahli players celebrated after the final whistle, Zakaria Hawsawi burst into tears, moved, after his teammates completed the match with 10 men from the 68th minute due to his headbutt on Australian Tietie Yangi. Al-Ahli started the first half on the attack, taking the initiative towards goal when Brazilian Wender Galeno fired a powerful shot that went past the post (5').

Machida responded with a header from Hotaka Nakamura that Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily caught (9'). Japanese goalkeeper Kosei Tani saved his goal from a certain goal when Galeno broke the offside trap and went one-on-one with the keeper (13').

Al-Ahli continued their attempts but they did not pose a threat until Turkish Merih Demiral received the ball inside the penalty area, shot powerfully, hit the crossbar and went out of play (42').

The Saudi team maintained their superiority in the second half and had a chance to score, but Englishman Ivan Toney's shot went past the post (67'). Despite completing the match with 10 men, German coach Matthias Jaissle kept his faith in his starting players without making changes. Machida almost snatched a goal were it not for Mendy's brilliance, who stopped Hiroyuki Mae's powerful shot and barely turned it into a corner (74'), before doing it again against Yuki Soma (81'). Al-Buraikan scored the goal after Mahrez's cross and Kessie's follow-up in front of goal (96').

In the second half of extra time, Al-Ahli missed a golden chance to double the score when Galeno broke away and shot powerfully over the crossbar (116'). They almost paid the price when Mendy lost control of the ball, but the defense cleared it in time (120'). Al-Ahli equaled the number of titles of their compatriot Al-Ittihad (two titles), compared to four for Al-Hilal, the record holder.

Kessie best player

After winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023, the Spanish league in the same year with Barcelona, and the Italian league a season earlier with Milan, Kessie, one of the best signings in the Saudi league, continued his brilliance by winning his third title with the team (the local Super Cup in 2025).

The international midfielder was awarded the best player of the competition, having started in nine of his team's 13 matches.

Kessie scored three goals, including the crucial equalizer in the quarter-finals when Al-Ahli was trailing 0-1 against Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Machida goalkeeper Kosei Tani received the best goalkeeper award after keeping clean sheets in seven of the 11 matches he played, including an impressive run of five consecutive matches without conceding a goal, stretching from the round of 16 to the semi-finals.

In contrast, the top scorer award went to Spanish striker Rafa Mujica of Qatar's Al-Sadd, who scored eight goals.