AFC Champions League Elite Quarter-finals
Machida Zelvia 1 - 0 FT Al-Ittihad FC
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
M. Mitaj 22'
31' T. Yengi (Erik)
HT
↓ M. Mitaj ↑S. Bergwijn 46'
↓ Roger ↑A. Al Oboud 57'
61' K. Hayashi
66' ↓ Erik ↑F. Tokumura
66' ↓ Na Sang-Ho ↑K. Sento
A. Al Oboud 76'
76' ↓ H. Nakamura ↑H. Mochizuki
76' N. Lavi
76' ↓ N. Lavi ↑H. Shimoda
↓ M. Diaby ↑G. Ilenikhena 82'
85' T. Yengi
85' ↓ T. Yengi ↑S. Fujio
D. Pereira 86'
D. Pereira 90'
90' G. Kuroda
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Machida Zelvia
Goalkeepers
Kosei Tani 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Gen Shoji
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daihachi Okamura 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
22%
Pass Acc
Yuta Nakayama 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Hotaka Nakamura
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Hiroyuki Mae
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Neta Lavi
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Kotaro Hayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Erik 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Sang-Ho Na
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Tete Yengi 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Yoshiaki Arai 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tatsuya Morita
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Henry Heroki Mochizuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ibrahim Drešević
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Keiya Sento
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hokuto Shimoda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ryohei Shirasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Je-hoon Cha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Asahi Masuyama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Futa Tokumura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kanji Kuwayama
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shota Fujio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Al-Ittihad FC
Goalkeepers
Predrag Rajkovic
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Muhannad Shanqeeti
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stephane Keller
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Hassan Kadesh
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Mario Mitaj
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Midfielders
Danilo Pereira 
MAGNET
70
Activity
70
Activity
68
Passes
2
Duels
Fabinho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Moussa Diaby
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
Houssem Aouar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Roger Fernandes
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
Youssef En-Nesyri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
96
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Mohammed Al-Absi
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Osama Al-Mermesh
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jan-Carlo Simić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Al-Julaydan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Sharahili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mohammed Fallatah
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Faisal Al-Ghamdi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Awad Al-Nashri
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Steven Bergwijn
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
51
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Abdulrahman Alobud
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
39
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ahmed Al-Ghamdi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
George Ilenikhena
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Machida Zelvia Execute Perfect Quarter-Final Heist
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 58/100. A resilient defensive masterclass and heart-stopping late VAR drama sent Machida Zelvia through to the Semi-finals in a massive continental upset.
Absorbing the Saudi Siege
Al-Ittihad controlled the tempo from the opening minutes at Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium. The hosts on paper, Machida Zelvia, found themselves immediately pinned back as the Saudi giants dominated possession, holding 63% of the ball. The Intensity was palpable as Al-Ittihad FC forced a series of set-pieces, eventually racking up 11 total corners across the ninety minutes. Despite the heavy pressure and 13 total shots raining down on their defense, Machida refused to buckle under the weight of these massive knockout Stakes. Daihachi Okamura put in an outstanding shift at the back, orchestrating a deep block that frustrated the pre-match favorites and kept the scoreline blank through the initial exchanges.
A Lethal Breakaway
The true Balance of this tie was exposed just after the half-hour mark. Against the run of play, Machida executed a flawless transition in the 31st minute. Erik found a pocket of space and delivered a precision pass to T. Yengi, who ruthlessly finished past the keeper. This single, lethal strike sent shockwaves through the stadium and instantly activated a massive Upset narrative. Al-Ittihad's possession dominance counted for nothing against Machida's clinical edge; the Japanese side only managed five shots on target all night but made the one that mattered count. The dynamic of the entire Quarter-final shifted, forcing Al-Ittihad to abandon their patient build-up and throw caution to the wind as the first half drew to a close.
VAR Drama and Survival
The closing stages transformed into a desperate battle for survival. Al-Ittihad threw everything forward, seeking an equalizer to salvage their continental campaign. The defining moment arrived in the 86th minute when D. Pereira seemingly bundled the ball into the net, sending the home crowd into raptures. However, VAR intervened, identifying a crucial handball and ruling the goal out. That dramatic reversal completely deflated the Saudi side and sealed a famous victory for Machida Zelvia. Surviving the late onslaught, the Japanese club successfully defended their 1-0 lead to punch their ticket to the Semi-finals. It was a tactical triumph in soaking up pressure and striking with venom, completing an unforgettable elimination heist.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Machida Zelvia's season?
Progressing to the Semi-finals keeps their continental dream alive and provides massive momentum to boost their dominant domestic league campaign.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Quarter-Final Crucible: Machida's Rise Meets Ittihad's Might
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 95/100. A spot in the semi-finals hangs in the balance as tournament high-flyers Machida Zelvia test their mettle against a star-studded Al-Ittihad outfit.
The Setup
This AFC Champions League Elite quarter-final at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium promises fireworks on April 17, 2026. Machida Zelvia have blitzed the competition, boasting an unbeaten five-match run and a soaring Form rating that signals they are peaking at the perfect time. Their resilient defence has yielded just seven goals all campaign, dropping them right into the continent's elite bracket. On the flip side, Al-Ittihad FC bring ferocious firepower. The Saudi giants have smashed in 22 goals, fueled by an off-the-charts Stars rating. Though they recently suffered a blip to end a four-game winning streak, their away pedigree remains a potent threat. The Stakes could not be higher—this is a winner-takes-all knockout scenario where tactical discipline meets raw attacking verve.
Key Battle
Machida's stopper Kosei Tani faces the ultimate test against Al-Ittihad's marquee marksman Karim Benzema. Tani has been sensational between the sticks, racking up three clean sheets and crucial saves to keep Zelvia's dream alive. He will need the performance of his career to deny the veteran French striker, who has already netted three times in just two appearances. If Benzema finds pockets of space in the box, Tani’s reflexes will be the ultimate decider.
Our Prediction
Al-Ittihad's sheer volume of chances will eventually break Machida's stubborn resistance. Despite Zelvia's heroic defensive block, the visitors have too much quality waiting to explode. We expect a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Al-Ittihad, with a late goal settling this tense tie.