Goal-line controversy overshadows Al-Ittihad’s AFC Champions League Elite victory over Al Jazira

Al-Ittihad reached the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite with a 4-1 victory over Al Jazira, but their progress was overshadowed by a disputed goal-line decision that left the Emirati side furious.

The Saudi club secured the win at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday in the preliminary play-off round for the league stage of Asia’s leading club competition.

With Al-Ittihad leading 3-0, Al Jazira players appealed for a goal after goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic saved an effort which struck the post. They believed the ball had crossed the line before the Serbian goalkeeper stopped it.

The referee rejected the appeal and did not award a goal. The incident could not be reviewed because Video Assistant Referee technology is not being used in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League Elite.

The lack of VAR meant the decision stood despite the protests from the home players, creating a major turning point in a match that had appeared to be firmly under Al-Ittihad’s control.

Al Jazira did eventually score, reducing the deficit with 10 minutes of the match remaining. Al-Ittihad responded by adding a fourth goal and completed the victory without allowing the late effort to change the outcome.

The result sends Al-Ittihad into the league stage, where they will become the fifth Saudi Arabian representative. They join Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah in that phase of the competition.

For Al-Ittihad, the qualification also extends their involvement in Asian competition for a second successive season. The club’s campaign in the previous edition of the AFC Champions League Elite ended in the quarter-finals, when they were beaten by Japanese side Machida Zelvia.

The match in Abu Dhabi was therefore enough to guarantee Al-Ittihad’s continued presence among the continent’s leading clubs, although the controversial decision involving Rajkovic’s save is likely to remain the main talking point.

The preliminary round is being played without VAR, leaving on-field officials to make decisions on incidents such as disputed goal-line calls without technological assistance. In this case, Al Jazira were unable to overturn the referee’s ruling and ultimately suffered a 4-1 defeat.

Al-Ittihad’s victory means they move on to the next phase, while Al Jazira’s challenge ends at the qualifying stage despite their second-half effort and the appeal for what they believed should have been their first goal.