FOOTBALL – FC Machida Zelvia continued their AFC Champions League Elite Finals fairytale run after defeating Shabab Al Ahli 1-0 in their semi-final tie in Jeddah yesterday.
Yuki Soma’s goal earned Machida the chance to emulate Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers who lifted the coveted title in their debut outing in 2014 as the Japanese side set up a final against defending champions Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Both teams made one change each from their previous match with influential attacker Soma returning for Machida after having missed the quarter-final win against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad Club while Shabab Al Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa swapped Matevsao with forward Sultan Adil.
It took Soma 12 minutes to make his impact on the game, taking advantage of Bogdan Planic’s underhit backpass to intercept the ball and shift away from goalkeeper Hamad Almeqbali to slot home the opening goal.
Another lapse in concentration almost cost UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli a second goal three minutes later when they struggled to deal with Soma’s free-kick, with Almeqbali needing a strong left arm to claw away Erik’s effort from close range.
With their early nerves settled, Shabab Al Ahli started to grow into the game with Guilherme Bala forcing a save from Kosei Tani before a quick breakaway move ended with Kauan Santos clipping the top of the crossbar with a thunderous strike.
The Emirates side escaped going further behind in the 40th minute after referee Shaun Evans overturned his decision to award a penalty for Federico Cartabia’s foul on Soma following a VAR review.
After the interval, Shabab Al Ahli went in search of the equaliser with Bala nodding the ball onto the ground which then bounced into the arms of Tani before sending a cross into the box which Adil headed over unchallenged.
The UAE side thought they had drawn level in the 64th minute when Bala glanced in a header from Yuri Cesar’s cross, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside.
The game became more open as it headed into the final 20 minutes with glaring misses at both ends with Mohammed Jumah steering an effort wide while Shota Fujio could not get his shot away despite only having Almeqbali to beat.
Shabab had another effort disallowed in stoppage time when Bala’s super strike from the edge of the box was ruled out following a VAR review as Machida hung on to claim a dream final against Al Ahli.
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