Al Ittihad’s quest for continental glory continues as they prepare to host Japanese side Machida Zelvia in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite quarter-final clash. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, with kick-off set for 8:00 PM Saudi time.
The Tigers secured their place in the last eight after a dramatic victory over Qatar’s Al Sadd in the previous round. After a tense 1-1 draw in the first leg in Doha, the return match in Jeddah ended goalless, sending the tie to a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf emerged as the hero, saving two spot-kicks to propel Al Ittihad to a 4-2 win in the shootout and book their quarter-final berth.
Their opponents, Machida Zelvia, are making history in their debut AFC Champions League Elite campaign. The J1 League club finished second in their group before stunning South Korea’s Ulsan HD in the Round of 16, winning 3-2 on aggregate to set up this historic meeting with the Saudi giants.
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between Al Ittihad and Machida Zelvia. The Japanese club’s remarkable run adds an element of the unknown to the tie, presenting a fresh challenge for Marcelo Gallardo’s experienced squad. The second leg is slated for Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Machida GION Stadium in Tokyo.
For fans in the Middle East and North Africa, the match will be broadcast live on the SSC Sports channels. The encounter promises high stakes as both teams vie for a coveted spot in the semi-finals of Asia’s premier club competition.
