JEDDAH — Al Ahli retained the AFC Champions League Elite title after substitute Feras Al Brikan scored in extra time to seal a 1-0 victory over FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday.Al Brikan struck six minutes into extra time at King Abdullah Sports City, giving the Saudi side back-to-back continental titles despite playing with 10 men after Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off in the second half.The triumph made Al Ahli the first club to successfully defend the Asian title since Al Ittihad achieved the feat in 2005.Backed by a crowd of 58,984, Al Ahli dominated the early stages and created the better openings, with Galeno and Roger Ibañez both threatening.Machida had moments of danger on the counterattack, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy kept the Saudi champions level with several key saves.Al Ahli thought pressure would eventually tell, but the match changed in the 68th minute when Hawsawi was shown a straight red card for headbutting Tete Yengi.With the numerical advantage, the Japanese side pushed forward, forcing Mendy into further saves from Hiroyuki Mae and Yuki Soma.But six minutes into extra time, Riyad Mahrez clipped a cross to the far post, Franck Kessié laid the ball back, and Al Brikan hammered home first time to spark wild celebrations.Machida nearly equalized late through Henry Mochizuki, but Al Ahli held firm to lift the trophy once again.JEDDAH — Al Ahli retained the AFC Champions League Elite title after substitute Feras Al Brikan scored in extra time to seal a 1-0 victory over FC Machida Zelvia on Saturday.Al Brikan struck six minutes into extra time at King Abdullah Sports City, giving the Saudi side back-to-back continental titles despite playing with 10 men after Zakaria Hawsawi was sent off in the second half.The triumph made Al Ahli the first club to successfully defend the Asian title since Al Ittihad achieved the feat in 2005.Backed by a crowd of 58,984, Al Ahli dominated the early stages and created the better openings, with Galeno and Roger Ibañez both threatening.Machida had moments of danger on the counterattack, but goalkeeper Edouard Mendy kept the Saudi champions level with several key saves.Al Ahli thought pressure would eventually tell, but the match changed in the 68th minute when Hawsawi was shown a straight red card for headbutting Tete Yengi.With the numerical advantage, the Japanese side pushed forward, forcing Mendy into further saves from Hiroyuki Mae and Yuki Soma.But six minutes into extra time, Riyad Mahrez clipped a cross to the far post, Franck Kessié laid the ball back, and Al Brikan hammered home first time to spark wild celebrations.Machida nearly equalized late through Henry Mochizuki, but Al Ahli held firm to lift the trophy once again.
