Machida Zelvia have secured a place in the Asian Champions League Elite final on their tournament debut, overcoming Dubai-based Shabab Al-Ahli 1-0 in a semi-final match marred by late controversy in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Yuki Soma’s 12th-minute strike proved decisive for the J-League side, who will now face defending champions Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the final. Soma capitalized on a misplaced back-pass from Bogdan Planic, rounding goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqbaali to slot home the only goal of the contest.
The match’s conclusion, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic incident in stoppage time. Shabab Al-Ahli believed they had found a late equaliser through Guilherme Bala, whose powerful shot found the far corner of the net. Referee Shaun Evans was called to the pitch-side monitor and ultimately disallowed the goal, ruling that Machida had not completed a substitution when Kauan Santos took the throw-in that led to the goal.
The decision sparked outrage from Shabab Al-Ahli head coach Paulo Sousa, who left the pitch in protest. “There was a goal that was scored and then it was cancelled, this is a very technical mistake by the referee. Unfortunately this is what is turning football into rubble. It was a big mistake to choose this referee for this match. We deserved to be in the final and we deserve to play this important game,” Sousa stated after the match.
Earlier in the contest, Machida nearly doubled their advantage through Erik, but Al-Meqbaali produced a superb diving save. Shabab Al-Ahli’s Kauan Santos also came close, hitting the crossbar just before halftime. Soma appeared to win a penalty late in the first half, but referee Evans overturned his decision after a review.
Despite late pressure from the Emirati side, including a missed opportunity by Mohammed Juma, Machida held firm to secure their place in the final. They will now seek to thwart Al-Ahli’s bid to become the first club since 2005 to claim consecutive Asian Champions League titles.
The final is scheduled for Saturday and promises to be a high-stakes encounter as Machida aim to cap their remarkable tournament debut with continental glory.
