Second half goals from Galeno and Ivan Toney saw Al Ahli Saudi overcome a first half deficit to defeat Vissel Kobe 2-1 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium last night and book their place in Saturday’s final of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah.
The champions launched a dramatic turnaround following the interval after Yoshinori Muto had given the J1 League side a 31st minute lead and Matthias Jaissle’s side remain on track to become the first team since Al Ittihad to retain the continental title in 2005.
Al Ahli will take on either FC Machida Zelvia from Japan or Shabab Al Ahli from the United Emirates in the final, with that pair due to meet in the second semi-final at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium tonight.
Jaissle made two changes to the side that defeated Johor Darul Ta’zim in the quarter-finals, with Merih Demeral replacing the suspended Ali Majrashi and Valentin Atangana coming in for Matheus Martin.
Kobe switched out Takahiro Oghihara for Makoto Mitsuta and it was the Japanese team who made the brighter start with Muto seeing his early attempt blocked while Yosuke Ideguchi’s 12th minute effort was gathered by Edouard Mendy.
But it was the hosts who created the first real opening in the 26th minute when Zakaria Hawsawi’s wriggling run down the left threatened the Vissel backline.
Twice Kobe defenders failed to dispossess the Saudi full-back as he stormed along the flank and he eventually rolled his pass across the face of the area to Franck Kessie, whose goal-bound strike was parried clear by Daiya Maekawa.
The danger remained, however, with the ball landing at the feet of Riyad Mahrez but his low shot was comfortably collected.
Five minutes later Kobe took the lead as a cleverly worked free-ick unlocked the Al Ahli defence.
Katsuya Nagato’s delivery from midway inside the Al Ahli half found Yuya Osako after the former Japan international had timed his run to perfection to avoid the offside trap and his astute header across goal left Muto to slot gleefully past Mendy.
Kobe’s advantage survived a double scare in the dying seconds of the half, Rayan Hamed arriving late at the far post to head Galeno’s free-kick from the left corner of the penalty area against the woodwork while Toney’s flick from close range was inches wide.
Al Ahli continued pushing after the break with Kessie nodding Millot’s centre across the face of goal moments into the second half and Toney’s attempt ruled out for offside as Jaissle’s side tested the Kobe defence.
Daiju Sasaki should have hit a second for Kobe in the 54th minute when Michael Skibbe’s side were gifted possession deep inside the Al Ahli half, substitute Mitsuki Hidaka cutting the ball back to his unmarked teammate who could only rattle the crossbar.
Kobe were to rue that miss eight minutes later when Al Ahli pulled level. Maekawa had already saved Millot’s header from a Mahrez corner and the ball was eventually worked to Galeno, who hit a trademark strike from distance beyond the keeper’s reach.
Eight minutes later Al Ahli were in front when Maekawa flapped at Galeno’s cross from the left and the ball landed at the feet of Toney, the Englishman threading his finish past three Kobe defenders on the line to win a thrilling tie for the Saudi Pro League side.
