Report by Dr. Talal Osman
Al Ahli refused to surrender their continental crown and turned the tables on Japan’s Vissel Kobe with a historic 2–1 comeback, earning the chance to defend the title they won for the first time in their history by reaching the final of the AFC Champions League Elite for the second consecutive season after a dramatic semifinal win in Jeddah.
In a repeat of their quarter‑final 2–1 triumph over Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim, Al Ahli overturned a deficit in their own stadium, the Alinma Stadium, after falling behind to a goal by Yoshinori Muto (31st minute), then striking back through Brazilian winger Wenderson Galeno (62nd) and English striker Ivan Toney (70th), denying Vissel Kobe a first‑ever final appearance.
How the match unfolded
The first half started at a high tempo from both teams but without clear danger on either goal until Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié unleashed a powerful shot that Japanese goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa parried, only for Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez to fire the rebound hard at goal as well, forcing Maekawa to save again and claim the ball in two attempts (26th).
From a well‑crafted move, Vissel Kobe opened the scoring when Katsuhiro Nagato delivered a free kick, Yuya Osako headed it down, and the ball fell to Yoshinori Muto, who fired it into the net (31). Al Ahli came close to level‑ing when French midfielder Enzo Millot struck from close range but sent his shot over the bar (37), while Vissel Kobe missed a clear chance to double their lead when Osako went one‑on‑one with Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy only to place the ball softly into his arms (43).
Just before the break, the post denied Al Ahli an equalizer as Rayan Hamed’s header rebounded off the frame of the goal before being cleared, and soon after Toney wasted another opportunity by sending a headed follow‑up wide of the upright.
Second‑half comeback and late drama
In the second half, Al Ahli pushed forward aggressively and nearly equalized when Brazilian defender Rodrigo Ely (Ibanez) headed a cross powerfully just past the post (47). Vissel Kobe almost restored their two‑goal cushion when Diego Sasaqui saw his effort strike the crossbar before the defense scrambled it clear (54).
Under relentless pressure, Al Ahli equalized when Galeno fired a powerful long‑range drive that nestled inside the net (62). From a defensive mistake, Al Ahli completed the turnaround when the goalkeeper failed to clear the ball properly, leaving it for Toney to smash home despite a desperate attempt by the defender to block (70).
Even after taking the lead, Al Ahli stayed on the front foot and almost sealed it at 75 minutes, when Mahrez tapped in what looked like a third goal, but the effort was correctly disallowed for offside after a VAR check. In the final seconds, Mahrez found himself through again, but the Japanese keeper made a fine save to deny him.
Al Ahli will now contest their fourth continental final in history, to be played on Saturday at the same stadium, facing the winner of Tuesday’s semifinal clash between Shabab Al‑Ahli (UAE) and Machida Zelvia (Japan).
