Bergwijn double helps Al-Ittihad secure place in AFC Champions League Elite

Al-Ittihad began the new season in emphatic fashion by beating Al Jazira 4-1 in Abu Dhabi to become the fifth Saudi Arabian club to reach the league phase of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite.

The Saudi side produced a dominant display at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday, with Steven Bergwijn scoring twice before Houssem Aouar and Marwan Al-Sahafi added further goals.

Al Jazira managed a late consolation through Simon Banza, but Al-Ittihad had already established an unassailable advantage by that stage.

Bergwijn opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Moussa Diaby delivered a cross which the Al Jazira defence failed to clear. The Netherlands winger reacted quickly and struck the ball first time to put the visitors ahead.

The same combination produced Al-Ittihad’s second goal seven minutes before half-time. Diaby again created space on the right before delivering a pass to Bergwijn, who finished superbly beyond goalkeeper Ali Khaseif.

Al-Ittihad extended their lead nine minutes into the second half. A cross from left-back Fares Abdi found Jan-Carlo Simic, who headed the ball across goal for Aouar to convert from close range.

Marwan Al-Sahafi then completed the scoring for the Saudi club in the 68th minute, only a few minutes after coming on as a substitute for Diaby. The forward met a precise low cross from Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri and sent it into the net.

Al Jazira scored their only goal in the 80th minute when Banza turned a cross past Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

The result was Al-Ittihad’s first victory of the new campaign and marked a successful beginning for German manager Jens Vising, who took charge after the departure of former Portugal boss Sergio Conceicao.

Al-Ittihad’s qualification means Saudi Arabia will have five representatives in the league phase of Asia’s leading club competition. They join Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah in the tournament.

The Jeddah-based club, known as “The Brigadier”, will now compete in the continental competition for a second successive season. Their previous campaign ended in the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by Japanese side Machida Zelvia.

The victory over Al Jazira also gives Al-Ittihad an imposing start under their new coach, with Bergwijn’s two goals and Diaby’s creative contribution providing the foundation for a result that secured their place among Asia’s elite before the league phase begins.