JEDDAH — Al Ittihad edged Al Wahda 1-0 after extra time to book their place in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals.Fabinho struck from the penalty spot in the final seconds of extra time at King Abdullah Sports City, sealing a hard-fought victory and setting up a clash with FC Machida Zelvia.Backed by a strong home crowd, Al Ittihad started brightly, with Steven Bergwijn causing early problems from a free-kick, while Stephane Keller saw his volley deflected into the side netting.Al Wahda responded quickly on the counter, forcing Predrag Rajković into action after a dangerous moment involving Hassan Kadesh.The contest tightened as chances became scarce, though Al Wahda came close before halftime when Abdulla Hamad capitalized on a defensive lapse, only to be denied by Rajković.The visitors thought they had taken the lead early in the second half through Christian Benteke, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.Al Wahda continued to threaten, with Facundo Kruspzky heading over from a promising position, while Al Ittihad missed a late chance through Danilo Pereira as the match went into extra time.The deadlock finally broke deep into the additional period when a foul by Sasa Ivkovic on Abdulrahman Al-Obud resulted in a penalty, calmly converted by Fabinho to send Al Ittihad through.
JEDDAH — Al Ittihad edged Al Wahda 1-0 after extra time to book their place in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals.Fabinho struck from the penalty spot in the final seconds of extra time at King Abdullah Sports City, sealing a hard-fought victory and setting up a clash with FC Machida Zelvia.Backed by a strong home crowd, Al Ittihad started brightly, with Steven Bergwijn causing early problems from a free-kick, while Stephane Keller saw his volley deflected into the side netting.Al Wahda responded quickly on the counter, forcing Predrag Rajković into action after a dangerous moment involving Hassan Kadesh.The contest tightened as chances became scarce, though Al Wahda came close before halftime when Abdulla Hamad capitalized on a defensive lapse, only to be denied by Rajković.The visitors thought they had taken the lead early in the second half through Christian Benteke, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.Al Wahda continued to threaten, with Facundo Kruspzky heading over from a promising position, while Al Ittihad missed a late chance through Danilo Pereira as the match went into extra time.The deadlock finally broke deep into the additional period when a foul by Sasa Ivkovic on Abdulrahman Al-Obud resulted in a penalty, calmly converted by Fabinho to send Al Ittihad through.
