Al Ahli End JDT’s Historic AFC Champions League Elite Run

Johor Darul Ta’zim’s historic run in the AFC Champions League Elite came to an end on Friday, April 17, 2026, after a 2-1 defeat to defending champions Al-Ahli Saudi FC at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The Malaysian side had taken a shock lead and held a numerical advantage for much of the match but failed to capitalise on their position, allowing the Saudi giants to rally and secure a place in the semi-finals.

JDT struck first in the 19th minute when Brazilian forward Jairo da Silva won possession down the flank and delivered a low cross that was turned into his own net by Al-Ahli defender Ali Majrashi. The breakthrough gave the Southern Tigers an early lead against the run of play in front of a predominantly pro-Al-Ahli crowd of 40,506 spectators.

The match took a dramatic turn just 18 minutes later when Majrashi was shown a straight red card for a dangerous high boot that caught Jairo in the head. The JDT striker was knocked unconscious and had to be stretchered off the pitch, replaced by Ager Aketxe. Despite being reduced to ten men, Al-Ahli appeared to galvanise from the setback.

Al-Ahli found an equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time when Franck Kessie outjumped the JDT defence to head home a corner from Riyad Mahrez. The goal came just before the break and shifted momentum firmly in favour of the Saudi side, who had endured a difficult opening period despite their numerical disadvantage.

The visitors completed their turnaround early in the second half, taking the lead in the 54th minute through a brilliant long-range strike from Wenderson Galeno that flew past JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre. The goal capped a resilient performance from Al-Ahli, who had weathered the early storm and grown into the match after surviving JDT’s initial surge.

JDT manager Xisco Munoz attempted to bolster the attack by introducing Bergson da Silva in the 75th minute, but Al-Ahli goalkeeper Edouard Mendy remained firm to deny the Malaysian side a late equaliser. Despite enjoying greater possession and territorial advantage for stretches of the game, JDT managed only three shots on target throughout the match and were ultimately outplayed in key moments.

The result means Al-Ahli advance to the semi-finals where they will face Japan’s Vissel Kobe, who defeated Al Sadd on penalties in their respective quarter-final. For JDT, the exit marks the end of their deepest-ever run in Asian football’s premier club competition, having gone further than any Malaysian club before them in the AFC Champions League Elite format.

Reflecting on the outcome, JDT will rue missed opportunities after finding themselves a goal and a man up as early as the 37th minute. Despite their numerical supremacy and early lead, the Southern Tigers failed to convert their advantage into a decisive performance, ultimately succumbing to Al-Ahli’s experience and resilience in the latter stages of the tie.