'A huge honour & privilege' - Al Ahli rally to book another ACL Elite final

For the second year running, Al Ahli will be representing the Roshn Saudi League in the showpiece match in Asian club football.

Matthias Jaissle’s men, aiming to become the first back-to-back champions since Jeddah counterparts Al Ittihad, booked a berth in a second successive AFC Champions League Elite final with a brilliant comeback against Japan’s Vissel Kobe in Jeddah on Monday.

Having gone a goal down at Alinma Stadium, Al Ahli rallied in the second half to triumph 2-1, through Galeno’s incredible long-range effort - yet another one from the Brazilian - and then a predatory finish from 2025-26 RSL top scorer Ivan Toney.

In front of almost 45,000 people in their hometown, Al Ahli did it again. Now, they will meet either Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia or UAE side Shabab Al Ahli in Saturday’s final.

“We’re really proud again to be in the final; back-to-back is something special and a huge honour and privilege,” manager Jaissle said. “The game was not easy, as always in this stage, in a semi-final in this competition.

“Details decided the game… also we needed some special moments in the game like the goal from Galeno, which was amazing.

“The conclusion was, from my side, that we deserve to be in the final.”

It was only 12 months ago that Al Ahli prevailed in the inaugural edition of Asian’s premier club competition - marking their first continental title, too.

So, an immediate chance to make more history in emulating Al Ittihad’s successful defence of the trophy more than two decades ago?

“It’s not in our head,” Jaissle said. “We’re only focusing on us. We want to make it happen again; back-to-back titles are a huge goal now and being there is already a marvellous achievement.

“If you’re there, you want to make the last step. That’s the clear mindset and I think every player has that already. If you saw them in the locker room, then you would know.”

Speaking to the Asian Football Confederation’s official social media directly after the final whistle, goal hero Galeno said: "Hello fans, thank you for your incredible support. We knew it would be a tough game, but we managed to secure the victory.

“Now it’s time to rest, recover and focus on the final. Let’s go!”