JEDDAH : Al-Ahli came from behind to beat Japan’s Vissel Kobe 2-1 on Monday and reach the final of the AFC Champions League Elite, with Ivan Toney scoring the winner.
Yoshinori Muto gave Vissel Kobe a 31st-minute lead, but Galeno equalised early in the second half before Toney struck in the 70th minute to seal victory.
The defending champions will now play either Shabab Al-Ahli or Machida Zelvia in the final, with the semi-final between those sides set for Tuesday.
Al-Ahli are aiming to become the first club since Al-Ittihad in 2005 to retain the continental title.
“We’re really proud again to be in the final. Back-to-back is something special,” coach Matthias Jaissle said. “The game was not easy, as always at this stage. Details decided it.”
Vissel Kobe had taken the lead when Katsuya Nagato’s free kick was headed across goal by Yuya Osako to Muto, who finished from close range past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Al-Ahli responded strongly after the break, with Galeno levelling with a powerful strike before Toney produced a composed finish to send the Saudi side into a second successive final.
