With their first foray in continental football, Japan's Machida Zelvia have only gone all the way and reached the final of the AFC Champions League Elite. But their latest win - courtesy of Yuki Soma's first-half strike - in an already-remarkable campaign finished in controversial fashion, as Shabab Al Ahli were denied a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser for the most technical of transgressions. Guilherme Bala looked to have forced extra-time with an outstanding solo effort but Machida, even in the build-up to the goal, had already been appealing over something that was not immediately apparent to most. As VAR conducted its review after referee Shaun Evans had initially allowed the goal to stand, it soon emerged that Shabab Al Ahli had restarted play from a throw-in before Machida had completed a substitution. Machida have a valid argument that they were not ready for the restart, especially considering the goal came down the flank that substitute Henry Heroki Mochizuki was headed towards as he replaced Hotaka Nakamura at right-wingback - although he might not have been in position in any case considering he had to cross the entire width of the field from the opposite touchline. Still, it is understandable how Shabab Al Ahli will feel hard done by - in potentially the first-ever case of a goal overturned by VAR due to a substitution.
There was also another contentious moment in the first half when Evans awarded a penalty for a trip on Soma by Shabab Al Ahli captain Fede Cartabia - only to be called to the side for a VAR review. The touch was slight but there did seem to be contact as Cartabia's left foot clipped the the toes of Soma as he was bursting into the six-yard box but - after a very brief period of time in front of the monitor, where he was offered just one angle of the incident - Evans decided to overturn his original decision.
VAR was again prominent four minutes after the hour mark although, on this occasion, it was to confirm a disallowed goal by Shabab Al Ahli rather than overturn one that had been given. And it was the correct call with Bala originally in an offside position as Yuri César swung in a delivery from the left, before the ball was helped into his path by Gen Shoji's misdirected clearance header for him to glance home from close range. As the match wore on, it increasingly looked as though Machida had done enough to keep their fairytale run going - and they ultimately did. But only after one final twist of the tale. Chaos ensued. Even before Evans had gone to his monitor, he looked to have flashed a yellow to Cartabia - which would have been the Argentine's second since he had been substituted - but neglected to follow up with a red. Once Evans had made his decision, he was -- as expected - surrounded by a Shabab Al Ahli mob crying out at the perceived injustice.
Then, when the final whistle blew after 103 controversy-laden minutes, more bedlam. Evans was once again beset on by the seething Shabab Al Ahli players as fingers were pointed precariously close to his face. Initially, his only protection was two Shabab Al Ahli substitutes - who were clearly more concerned about ensuring none of their team-mates would do something they might regret - before several police personnel stepped in to ensure Evans' safe exit. Al-Meqbaali, who had been one of the calmer Shabab Al Ahli players when the goal was originally disallowed, became another to be shown a card: a straight red. Wisely, Machida stayed in the middle of the park -- maintaining their distance away from the turmoil.
