Jeddah played host to a night of contrasting emotions in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals on Friday, as Al-Ahli Saudi FC battled from behind with ten men to reach the last four while Al-Ittihad were eliminated in a cruel finish across the city.
Ten Men, One Mission
Al-Ahli entered their quarter-final against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim as defending champions, and the match delivered every ounce of tension a high-stakes continental tie could offer. More than 40,000 supporters packed Al-Inma Stadium, and the atmosphere was electric long before kick-off.
The adversity came early and without warning. An Ali Majrashi own goal handed Johor the lead in the 19th minute, and within the hour mark he was gone, sent off for serious foul play in the 37th minute, leaving Al-Ahli to face the second half with a man short and a goal behind. It was goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who steadied the ship, gathering his players for a brief but decisive team talk. Franck Kessie responded with a powerful header from a Galeno corner to equalise before the break, giving the side renewed belief heading into the second 45 minutes.
The difference in the second half came from a moment of individual brilliance. In the 54th minute, Galeno collected possession and struck with venom from distance, his long-range effort flying past the goalkeeper to put Al-Ahli ahead. The Jeddah side held on from there, with Mendy producing a series of sharp saves to preserve the 2-1 lead and seal their place in the semi-finals.
Al-Ittihad’s Season Comes to a Quiet End
A few kilometres away at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, the mood among Al-Ittihad supporters was one of quiet disappointment. Their club, which had entered the tournament carrying the weight of a difficult domestic season, having missed out on the Saudi Pro League title and fallen in the King Cup semi-finals, had one final target in their sights. Machida Zelvia of Japan took it away with a single, deflected strike from Tete Yengi in the 31st minute.
Al-Ittihad pushed for an equaliser throughout, but head coach Sérgio Conceição was left to rue the missed opportunities as the final whistle brought a 1-0 defeat and the end of their continental campaign for the season.
Eyes on the Semi-Finals
Al-Ahli will now face Vissel Kobe of Japan in the semi-finals, scheduled for Monday as part of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026. Vissel Kobe advanced after defeating Al-Sadd of Qatar 5-4 on penalties in a similarly dramatic quarter-final encounter on Thursday.
With the likes of Galeno, Kessie, Riyad Mahrez and Mendy at their disposal, Al-Ahli head into the last four with momentum and the weight of history behind them. A second consecutive title would place them among the most decorated clubs in the modern era of Asian club football.
