KUALA LUMPUR: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) saw their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/2026 (ACLE) dashed after a 1-2 defeat to Saudi giants Al-Ahli in the quarterfinals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, today (April 18).
Playing at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al-Ahli, the defending champions, delivered a more dominant performance, controlling much of the game and creating several dangerous chances.
However, Xisco Muñoz’s men managed to break the deadlock after a low cross by Brazilian import, Jairo da Silva, into the penalty area deflected off Al-Ahli’s Ali Majrashi in the 20th minute before finding the back of the net.
Al-Ahli were later reduced to 10 men after Majrashi was shown a red card for a foul, but the hosts fought back to equalise through Franck Kessié, who headed in a corner during first-half stoppage time.
Resuming the second half, Al-Ahli upped the ante with several attempts before Galeno put the team ahead in the 54th minute with a powerful strike from outside the penalty box that beat JDT goalkeeper, Andoni Zubiaurre.
JDT attempted to mount a comeback by bringing on Bergson da Silva in the 75th minute to bolster their attack, but failed to find an equaliser.
The two goals scored by Matthias Jaissle’s Al-Ahli were enough to secure victory and end JDT’s campaign in this year’s edition.
The result means Al-Ahli will face Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the semi-finals after the latter defeated Al Sadd 5-4 on penalties in another quarter-final match.
Previously, several ACLE Round of 16 matches had to be postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East, but the tournament has since resumed as scheduled. – BERNAMA
