JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Interstat) — Yūki Sōma’s early strike proved decisive as Japan’s Machida Zelvia opened its AFC Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates’ Shabab Al Ahli on Tuesday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.

The match, a group stage fixture in the premier Asian club competition, was officially a home game for Machida Zelvia but was contested at a neutral venue in Saudi Arabia. The Japanese side adapted quickly, controlling proceedings for large stretches and securing a result that defied a pre-match projection from Interstat, whose game simulator had forecast a 1-1 draw. The same analytics system gave Machida Zelvia a 54.90 percent probability to win.

The lone goal arrived just 12 minutes into the contest. The buildup featured a quick interchange involving forward Shōta Fujio, who laid the ball off to an overlapping Federico Cartabia. The Argentine substitute, who had entered the match earlier, delivered a precise low cross into the penalty area. Sōma met it with a well-timed run and a first-time finish from close range, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to ignite the Machida Zelvia supporters in attendance.

Sōma, a forward, was the standout performer, directly involved in the game’s most critical moment with his goal and an assist on the play. His influence was felt throughout, though it earned him a yellow card deep into second-half stoppage time.

Shabab Al Ahli struggled to generate consistent offensive threats against a disciplined Machida Zelvia defense. The Emirati side’s frustrations grew as the match progressed, culminating in a chaotic finish. The game’s physical intensity was reflected in five yellow cards, with Shabab Al Ahli’s Paulo Sousa receiving the first in the 49th minute for a tactical foul.

The match’s complexion turned in the dying moments. Already on a yellow card, Shabab Al Ahli substitute Hamad Al Meqbaali was shown a second yellow in the 14th minute of added time, resulting in a red card and reducing his team to 10 men for the final seconds. Al Meqbaali had entered the match as a substitute and received his first caution just moments before his dismissal.

With the victory, Machida Zelvia begins its Champions League season with a perfect record of one win and no losses in the competition, while also moving to 1-0 across all competitions this season. Shabab Al Ahli starts its continental campaign with a defeat, falling to 0-1 both in the Champions League and in all matches this season.

The result provides a solid foundation for Machida Zelvia in a challenging group, while Shabab Al Ahli will look to regroup quickly ahead of its next fixture. The teams are scheduled to meet again later in the group stage at a venue to be determined.