Al-Ittihad exited the AFC Champions League in the quarter-finals after a 1-0 defeat to Machida Zelvia at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
Machida’s lone goal came in the 30th minute when a shot from Tete inside the penalty area deflected off Fabinho’s foot and past goalkeeper Rajkovic.
Al-Ittihad tried to equalize on several occasions, but were twice denied by the woodwork, first by a shot from Houssem Aouar and then by a header from Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Thus, Al-Ittihad will end the season without any trophies, having also been eliminated from the King’s Cup in the semi-finals and currently sitting in sixth place in the Saudi Pro League.
Prior to Al-Ittihad’s defeat, defending champions Al-Ahli overcame Johor Darul Ta’zim with a 2-1 victory at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Despite trailing by a goal in the first half and playing with ten men after Ali Majrashi’s dismissal, Al-Ahli, under coach Matias Jäissle, managed to come back and secure a victory thanks to goals from Franck Kessié and Galeano.
Al-Ahli will now face Japan’s Vissel Kobe next Monday at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (The Shining Jewel), after the Japanese club eliminated Qatar’s Al-Sadd on penalties in the quarterfinals.
The other semifinal will pit Machida Zelvia against the winner of Saturday’s match between Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai and Buriram United.
It’s worth noting that Al-Ahli is now the sole representative of Saudi Arabian football in the Asian competition after Al-Hilal’s elimination in the Round of 16 at the hands of Al-Sadd on penalties.
