Sousa fumes as Machida advance to Asian Champions League final

JEDDAH: Tournament debutants Machida ‌Zelvia booked their place in the Asian Champions League Elite final with a 1-0 victory over Dubai-based Shabab Al-Ahli that ended in controversy in Jeddah on Tuesday.
Yuki Soma scored the game’s only goal in the 12th minute for the J-League outfit, who will face defending champions Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia in the final.
Yet a decision by referee Shaun Evans to rule out a stoppage-time equalizer by Guilherme Bala prompted Shabab Al-Ahli coach Paulo Sousa to walk out in anger.
“There was a goal that was scored and then it was ‌canceled, this is ‌a very technical mistake by the referee,” ‌said ⁠Sousa.
“Unfortunately this is ⁠what is turning football into rubble. It was a big mistake to choose this referee for this match. We deserved to be in the final and we deserve to play this important game.”

The stage is set

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— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) April 21, 2026

Soma gave Machida the lead when he capitalized on an under-hit back-pass by Bogdan Planic, the Japan international pouncing on the loose ball to ⁠net after sidestepping goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqbaali.
Al-Meqbaali prevented Erik ‌from doubling Machida’s lead three minutes ‌later with a diving save to his left while Shabab Al-Ahli’s Kauan Santos ‌hit the crossbar at the other end with 10 minutes ‌remaining in the half.
Soma thought he had been awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the half when he went down tussling with Federico Cartabia and Evans pointed to the spot.
But the Australian official overturned ‌the decision after consulting the pitch-side monitor.
Mohammed Juma pushed his effort wide with 20 minutes remaining as ⁠Shabab