Debutants FC Machida Zelvia progressed to the final of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Japan time), defeating Shabab Al-Ahli FC 1-0 thanks to Yuki Soma’s opportunistic first-half strike.
Soma capitalised upon an under-hit back-pass by Shabab Al-Ahli defender Bogdan Planic in the 12th minute at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, before setting himself and sweeping into the net.
The MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE side almost doubled their lead in the 15th minute, but after Erik prodded a loose ball goalwards he was denied by Shabab Al-Ahli goalkeeper Hamad Al Meqbaali, who sprung to his left to make the save.
Shabab Al-Ahli then went close after a slick counter-attack in the 35th minute, but Kauan Santos’ curling effort from just outside the area clipped the bar before going behind.
FC Machida thought they had a chance to add to the scoring in the 40th minute when referee Shaun Evans awarded them a penalty for a foul on Soma, but after a VAR check and on-field review the decision was reversed.
In the 64th minute FC Machida earned a reprieve of their own, when Guilherme Bala’s close-range header was ruled out for offside.
Substitute Mohammad Juma then missed a glorious chance for Shabab Al-Ahli eight minutes later, unable to set his feet in time and prodding the ball wide from inside the six-yard box.
Guilherme Bala had the ball in the back of the net again in the second minute of additional time, but his sensational strike from distance was also chalked off, with Shabab Al-Ahli having restarted play before FC Machida had completed a substitution.
That left FC Machida able to celebrate a place in the final, where they will take on reigning champions Al Ahli Saudi FC on Saturday (Sunday morning, Japan time) at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
