AFC Champions League Elite - Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track

#ACLElite | Quarter-finals : Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 2-1 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) — AFC Champions League Elite
Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track
Sat, 18 April, 2026

Jeddah: Ten-man Al Ahli Saudi FC came from behind to edge Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ quarter-final on Friday to move a step closer towards retaining their title.

JDT shocked Al Ahli with the opener from an Ali Majrashi own goal with the right-back then sent off for serious foul play but the Jeddah-based outfit equalised before half-time thanks to a Franck Kessie header.

Galeno produced a brilliant piece of magic after the interval with his superb long range strike sending Al Ahli through to a semi-final encounter with Japan’s Vissel Kobe on Monday.

JDT looked to frustrate Al Ahli early on with their defensive back five content to sit deep as the reigning champions dominated possession, with Eddy Israfilov’s miscued clearance of Enzo Millot’s cross looping backwards and sailing just over the bar.

Al Ahli continued to set the pace but against the run of play in the 19th minute, the Malaysian side broke the deadlock when Jairo outmuscled Roger Ibanez, drove into the box and sent the ball into the six-yard box, which to the dismay of the Al Ahli fans, was turned into his own net by the unlucky Majrashi as Marcos Guilherme bore down on him.

The home side looked for a quick response and Riyad Mahrez had the opportunity to pull them level after he was picked out by Goncalves but his low curling effort was parried away by Andoni Zubiaurre, with the surging Ivan Toney unable to connect to the rebound.

Al Ahli’s troubles deepened in the 37th minute when Majrashi was shown the red card after his overhead kick caught Jairo in the face, with the JDT striker stretchered off and replaced by Ager Aketxe.

The defending champions refused to drop their heads as they continued pressing and were rewarded with the equaliser in the third minute of added time when Kessie rose unchallenged to thump home Galeno’s in-swinging corner.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Al Ahli maintained their high tempo after the break and showed their pedigree when Galeno turned the tie in their favour in the 54th minute with a rasping shot from distance that gave Zubiaurre no chance.

Chasing the game, JDT pushed higher up the pitch and replaced midfielder Natxo insa with forward Yago as the latter forced Edouard Mendy into a flying save in the 76th minute before the Al Ahli custodian stood firm to catch Israfilov’s header.

Matthias Jaissle’s side kept their composure in the remaining minutes as Al Ahli ended JDT’s hopes and keep their own dreams alive.

Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track

Q-final: Yengi strike keeps Machida Zelvia's dream run going

Preview - Q-final: Buriram United (THA) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Buriram’s Dougall counting on experience; Shabab’s Abbas warns against errors

Skibbe hails Vissel Kobe's determination

No regrets for Al Sadd's Mancini