Shabab Al Ahli requests replay of Asian Champions League semifinal after disputed 93rd‑minute goal
Shabab Al Ahli has asked for a replay of the Asian Champions League semifinal against Machida Zelvia after claiming a 93rd‑minute equalizer was wrongly disallowed.
Shabab Al Ahli on Wednesday formally requested that their Asian Champions League semifinal against Machida Zelvia be replayed, saying a 93rd‑minute equalizer should have stood.
The Emirati club lodged the protest after losing 1-0 in Jeddah, and a club source said match officials made a technical error when they ruled out the late strike.
The request sets up a review by competition organisers and adds fresh uncertainty to the tie that Machida Zelvia won on the field.
Referee decision disputed by club
A Shabab Al Ahli source told reporters the Brazilian winger who appeared to have scored in stoppage time had the ball in the net before play was halted.
The club argues the disallowed goal was the result of a technical error by the match officials rather than a judgment call that would normally be immune to appeal.
Shabab Al Ahli’s claim centers on the sequence in the 93rd minute when the offside, foul or ball‑in‑play ruling was contested, and the club says video evidence supports its position.
Key moments of the Jeddah semifinal
Machida Zelvia opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Yuki Soma converted a chance to put the Japanese side ahead early.
The remainder of the match saw Shabab Al Ahli press for an equalizer, creating several late opportunities before the contentious 93rd‑minute play.
With the final whistle following the disallowed effort, Machida Zelvia advanced on a 1-0 scoreline, while the Emirati side moved quickly to pursue formal remedies.
Details of the formal protest and requested remedy
Club officials submitted a written protest on Wednesday, according to the source, asking competition organisers to order a replay of the semifinal match.
Shabab Al Ahli’s plea asks for the governing body to treat the incident as a procedural error significant enough to affect the outcome, and to consider a full replay as the appropriate remedy.
The club has framed the request as a bid to ensure a fair resolution and to protect the integrity of the competition.
What the Asian Football Confederation review could involve
If the Asian Football Confederation accepts the protest for review, officials will typically examine the referee report and any available video or VAR material.
The AFC’s process is likely to include a technical appraisal of whether officials applied the laws of the game correctly and whether procedural breaches occurred.
Any decision could range from rejecting the protest and confirming the result to ordering further investigation or, in rare cases, mandating a replay.
Precedents and likelihood of a replay being ordered
Replays at confederation level are uncommon and are usually ordered only when there is clear evidence of a procedural or technical failure that directly altered the match outcome.
Governing bodies tend to favor correcting records and disciplining officials where appropriate rather than scheduling new matches, but the strength of Shabab Al Ahli’s evidence will be pivotal.
Observers note that time, logistics and competition scheduling also weigh heavily in such decisions and can make a replay impractical even if an error is acknowledged.
Reactions from Machida Zelvia and broader stakeholder implications
Machida Zelvia had not issued a detailed public statement by Wednesday evening, and club spokespeople may be expected to defend the match result if the AFC opens a formal inquiry.
Supporters and commentators in both nations have already begun debating the case, with social media amplifying calls for transparency and for the organisers to publish the review findings.
Beyond sporting questions, the outcome could affect travel plans, broadcasting arrangements and the calendar for the later stages of the Asian Champions League.
The AFC has not announced a timeline for resolving the protest, and until officials make a ruling the 1-0 result recorded in Jeddah remains the official score.
Shabab Al Ahli has signaled it will pursue all available avenues to press its case, while Machida Zelvia prepares to await the confederation’s decision and to focus on the challenges that lie ahead in the competition.
