Violent Clash Marks AFC Champions League Final
Zakaria Houssawy’s reckless forward lunge in the AFC Champions League Elite final on Saturday startled fans and brought back memories of infamous moments in sports history, reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The incident, which occurred midway through the second half with the score tied at 0-0 between Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahly and Japan’s Machida Zelbia, stunned the crowd at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Houssawy’s contact with Tete Yengi left the Australian striker on the ground, raising alarms for Al Ahly supporters who feared their quest for a consecutive continental title was at risk.
Following the incident, Houssawy received a deserved red card for his actions. Fortunately for Al Ahly, the match turned favorably during extra time as Riyad Mahrez’s cross created chaos in Machida’s defense. Striker Firas Al Buraikan capitalized by scoring from the far post, securing a 1-0 victory in front of a home crowd of 60,000. Houssawy’s impulsive behavior likely caught the attention of Saudi Arabia’s new manager Georgios Donis, who would be disappointed with such moments of recklessness ahead of the World Cup on June 15.
Before Houssawy’s dismissal, Machida Zelbia struggled to make an impression on the match. The narrative surrounding the game proved more intriguing than the action on the field. As a team yet to secure a Japanese title, Machida entered this championship match with a coach, Tsuyoshi Kuroda, who shifted from high school teaching to coaching in 2023. Under his guidance, the club has adopted a direct, physical style of play, which has drawn critiques of being “un-Japanese” yet undeniably effective.
Credit is due to Machida for reaching this stage with a less star-studded roster compared to their opponents, Al Ahly. The Saudi club is bolstered by the vast resources of the Public Investment Fund, featuring high-profile players such as Mahrez and Edouard Mendy, along with top talents like Yvan Toney, Galeno, and Franck Kessie. Machida’s notable players include Yengi, who transferred on loan from a struggling Livingston in Scotland’s Premiership.
This final was marked by contrasting philosophies, mirroring last year’s matchup when Al Ahly defeated Kawasaki Frontale 2-0. In their current squad, Al Ahly featured nine foreign players, while Machida had three. Previous matchups like Al Ahly’s semi-final against Vissel Kobe highlighted a stark numerical advantage at 10-1. While Saudi Arabia triumphed in this year’s club championship, Japanese media emphasized that the national team’s strength reflects a healthier soccer ecosystem overall.
Had the final taken place in Japan, the outcome might have diverged significantly. Historically, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has favored hosting knockout matches in Jeddah over the past two seasons, possibly contributing to the dominance of teams from this region. This decision allowed Al Ahly to avoid any away games, raising questions about fairness in tournament integrity and excitement, with the old two-legged system being discarded without sufficient explanation.
Support for Al Ahly and Al Ittihad in Jeddah illustrates the city’s deep love for football, evidenced by large crowds during key matches. However, the semi-final clash between Machida and Dubai’s Shabab Al Ahli attracted only 395 attendees, which raises concerns about the viability of neutral venues in the AFC. An AFC official expressed embarrassment at such low attendance for a continental tournament, acknowledging the need for better strategies to engage audiences despite the underlying issues with the competition format.
Beyond this knockout stage, challenges persist for many clubs across Asia, as only a limited number of teams from the 47 AFC nations can advance. Current geopolitical tensions have further complicated matters, with scheduling disruptions impacting match timelines. Despite these hurdles, the positive story of Iranian champions Tractor SC reaching Saudi Arabia resonates as a rare highlight in the otherwise forgettable landscape of this year’s Champions League.
