10 MAN AL AHLI SAUDI DEFEND THEIR CROWN Al Ahli Saudi vs FC Machida Zelvia ACL Elite

It's all been building up to this. The AFC Champions League Elite Final pits defending champions Al-Ali of Saudi Arabia against surprise package Machida Zalbia of Japan. The showdown in Jeddah starts with Al-Ali pushing forward as there's a break here for Galeno. Using his pace to get in, it's saved by Tani and then the ball is cleared away from Ivan Toni. Great early action as Machida Zalbia have the best defensive record in the competition and they've kept Al-Ali quiet. But there's a chance here. It's a real scramble in the six-yard box as Demiral there hits the bar. Atangana and Demiral twice. What a chance to open the scoring. Goalless at half-time in a tense final as both sides are looking to make history. Go Perodas. Machida Zalbia are keeping Al-Ali at bay but they're towards Ivan Toni by Hausaoui. And he wants a penalty. He's not going to get it though. Al-Ali are starting to get a little bit frustrated now as we see a coming together here between Nyangi and Hausaoui and Zachary Hausaoui completely loses his head. The referee shows an immediate red card and the holders are down to ten men. But now the question is can Machida Zalbia capitalise as the ball is played to Hiroki Maai and that's a superb effort from distance and a great save by Mendy. What a hit and an equally good stop. 81st minute and Machida Zalbia are now well on top as we see Soma here cutting inside Mendy and on the follow-up here Maai deflected wide by Nyangi. It all starts with superb play from Soma as we go to extra time with the game goalless but Machida Zalbia with the man advantage. But it's Al-Ali who go for broke. There's a deep ball in here from Mahrez. It hits Kessie as Al-Brikan can as Matthias Jeissler could become the first head coach to win back-to-back titles. But Machida Zalbia are determined to get back into it. It's Soma again and a really deep cross and headed wide by Henry Mochizuki who had just come on as sub. Now with time running out, less than five minutes to go and a long busting run here by Kalinov. He could be in on goal but he lifts it over the top as the full-time whistle blows. They lift the AFC Champions League Elite trophy for the second time in a row.