US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Al-Ahli beats Machida Zelvia in extra time to retain AFC Champions League Elite title
Firas Al-Burikan scored in the sixth minute of extra time as Al-Ahli became the first back-to-back Asian champion since 2005.
- On Saturday, Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia defended the AFC Champions League Elite crown by defeating first-time finalist Machida Zelvia of Japan 1-0 in Jeddah.
- The tournament was staged entirely in Jeddah, where Al-Ahli, owned by the Public Investment Fund, faced a Machida side reaching their first-ever continental final.
- Saudi international striker Firas Al-Burikan scored the decisive extra-time goal from a Franck Kessie assist before 60,000 fans, despite Al-Ahli playing with 10 men for almost an hour.
- Al-Ahli becomes the first team to win back-to-back Asian titles since Saudi rival Al-Ittihad achieved the feat in 2005.
- Regional conflict in the Middle East previously forced organizers to condense the tournament schedule from two-leg rounds to single matches, yet the competition concluded successfully in Jeddah.
Insights by Ground AI
32 Articles
32 Articles
Al Ahli won his second title in the history of the Asian Champions League on Saturday — and in a row. The Saudi club beat Machida Zelvia, from Japan, by 1 to 0, and held the continental champion position acquired last season. The team overcame an expulsion in the middle of the second half and won the extension, with the goal of the attacker Firas Al-Buraikan. The decision took place in a unique start at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, in Jidá…
·Brazil
Read Full Article
Associated Press News+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
Al-Ahli beats Machida Zelvia in extra time to retain AFC Champions League Elite title
Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia has successfully defended the AFC Champions League Elite crown after beating first-time finalist Machida Zelvia of Japan 1-0.
·United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources32
Leaning Left7Leaning Right6Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 29%
C 46%
R 25%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
