Tournament debutants Machida Zelvia are headed to the Asian Champions League Elite final following a controversial 1-0 victory over Dubai's Shabab Al-Ahli in Jeddah. Yuki Soma's 12th-minute goal proved decisive for the J-League side.
Shabab Al-Ahli coach Paulo Sousa expressed significant anger after referee Shaun Evans disallowed a stoppage-time equalizer by Guilherme Bala. Sousa criticized the referee's decision, stating it was a "technical mistake" and questioned the officiating choice for such a critical match.
Soma capitalized on a defensive error to score the game's lone goal. Machida had chances to extend their lead, while Shabab Al-Ahli hit the crossbar before their late equalizer was controversially overturned. The referee consulted the pitch-side monitor twice, ultimately disallowing Bala's goal due to an uncompleted substitution prior to the throw-in.
Machida Zelvia will now face defending champions Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the final.