Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — Al Ahli Saudi FC cruised into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 with a commanding 3-0 win over Buriram United on Saturday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The Saudi side powered to a three-goal lead before halftime, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against domestic rivals Al Hilal SFC, who had thrashed Gwangju FC 7-0 a day earlier.
Al Ahli capitalized on Buriram’s early mistake to open the scoring in the fourth minute. A poor clearance from Sasalak Haiprakhon allowed Roberto Firmino to pounce and set up Riyad Mahrez, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
Just two minutes later, Buriram’s defense was breached again. A neat through ball from Roger Ibanez found Galeno, who nutmegged goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to double Al Ahli’s lead and leave the Thai side reeling.
Buriram thought they had been handed a lifeline when referee Ahmed Al Kaf pointed to the spot after Merih Demiral was judged to have fouled Martin Boakye inside the box. However, following a VAR review, the penalty was overturned.
Al Ahli continued to threaten, with Marcelo Taritolay’s poor clearance almost gifting a third goal. Galeno slipped the ball to Firmino, but Etheridge came up with a vital save.
However, there was no denying Al Ahli’s momentum. In the 30th minute, Demiral’s header across goal found Firmino, who tapped in to stretch the advantage to 3-0 and effectively seal the contest by halftime.
Missing key players Theerathon Bunmathan and Suphanat Mueanta, Buriram struggled to muster a response. Head coach Osmar Loss introduced Lucas Crispim, Goran Causic, Guilherme Bissoli, and Supachai Chaided after the hour mark in a bid to spark a revival, but Al Ahli remained the more dangerous side on the break.
A late penalty appeal for Al Ahli was again overturned after a VAR review, but it mattered little as the Saudi side confidently closed out the match to book their spot in the last four.
Al Ahli will now turn their attention to an all-Saudi semi-final showdown with Al Hilal as they continue their quest for a first-ever AFC Champions League Elite title.
