Vissel Kobe failed to reach the final of the AFC Champions League Elite, losing 2-1 to Al Ahli. This defeat was the team's attempt to become the sixth different Japanese club to reach this stage, a new competition record. Despite leading at halftime, Vissel fell behind Al Ahl. The team's disappointment was evident at the final whistle, with Yuya Osako and Daiya Maekawa expressing their disappointment. This loss marks a significant decrease in the number of Japanese clubs undermanning for an away fixture in the ACL Elite. Since 2017, Japanese clubs have played in six of the past eight finals.