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Shabab Al Ahli See AFC Champions League Elite Hopes Ended After Farcical VAR Call

Yuki Soma scored in the 12th minute, and a stoppage-time equalizer was overturned after a VAR review found play had restarted.

  • On Tuesday, Japanese debutants Machida Zelvia secured a 1-0 victory over Shabab Al-Ahli in Jeddah, advancing to the AFC Champions League Elite final in their debut campaign.
  • Yuki Soma scored the decisive goal in the 12th minute after pouncing on a weak back pass from defender Bogdan Planic to shoot past goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqbaali.
  • A lengthy VAR review overturned Guilherme Bala's stoppage-time equalizer, with officials ruling that play restarted via a throw-in before a Machida substitution was fully completed.
  • Al-Ahli Saudi awaits in the final, having defeated Vissel Kobe 2-1 on Monday to reach the tournament's championship match.
  • Tension peaked at the final whistle as Australian referee Shaun Evans was escorted away by security, while goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqbaali received a red card amid the chaos.
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18 Articles

ESPNESPN
Lean Left

Machida's dream debut continues on to ACL Elite final amid hugely controversial finish

Machida Zelvia are through to the ACL Elite final but only after a wild, controversial finish to their win over Shabab Al Ahli.

·United States
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Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Lean Left

Machida Zelvia beats Shabab Al-Ahli 1-0 to reach Asian Champions League final

Japan’s Machida Zelvia advanced to the final of the Asian Champions League Elite by beating Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates 1-0.

·United States
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The NationalThe National
Center

Shabab Al Ahli see AFC Champions League Elite hopes ended after farcical VAR call

UAE champions left aggrieved following disallowed goal late in their last-four loss to Japan’s Machida Zelvia in Jeddah

·Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (the)
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Outlook IndiaOutlook India
Lean Left

Machida Zelvia Vs Shabab Al‑Ahli Highlights, AFC Champions League: Japanese Debutants Seal Historic Final Spot

Machida Zelvia vs Shabab Al-Ahli Highlights, AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26: Follow the play-by-play updates from the semi-final match at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, as Machida Zelvia beat Shabab Al-Ahli 1-0 on April 21, 2026

·New Delhi, India
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beIN SPORTS USAbeIN SPORTS USA

Machida Zelvia vs Shabab Al Ahli

Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium-Semi Finals

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L'ÉQUIPEL'ÉQUIPE

Machida's Japanese Club Will Face Al-Ahli in the Asian Champions League Finals

By winning this Tuesday against Dubai's Shabab Al-Ahli (1-0), FC Machida Zelvia qualified for the final of the Asian Champions League for his first participation. The Japanese club will challenge the Saudis of Al-Ahli, who hold the title on Saturday (6:15 p.m.).

·Boulogne-Billancourt, France
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the-AFC broke the news on Monday, April 20, 2026.
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