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Al-Ahli retains Asian Champions League title with extra-time goal from Al-Brikan
via Egypt Today3 min read
Ten-man Al-Ahli secured their second consecutive Asian Champions League Elite title, defeating Japan's Machida Zelvia 1-0 in extra time. The decisive goal came from substitute Feras Al-Brikan, who scored from close range after a cross from Riyad Mahrez. Al-Ahli played with ten men after Zakaria Hawsawi received a red card in the 68th minute for headbutting Tete Yengi. Despite being outnumbered, Matthias Jaissle's team held strong, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making crucial saves. The victory makes Al-Ahli only the second team to retain the trophy in the Asian Champions League era, following Al-Ittihad in 2005. The final match was held in Jeddah, Al-Ahli's home base, which hosted the centralized eight-team finals tournament for the second season in a row.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
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