Riyadh, April 26 (QNA) - Al Ahli Saudi FC produced a sparkling display to cruise 3-0 past Buriram United in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.

Al Ahli turned on the power in the first half, racing to a three-goal lead as they set up a tantalising semi-final encounter with fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal SFC, who defeated Gwangju FC 7-0 on Friday, the AFC website reported.

Al Ahli made Buriram pay when a mistake from Sasalak Haiprakhon in the fourth minute saw Roberto Firmino gain possession before setting up Riyad Mahrez to drill the ball into the bottom left corner.

  Buriram barely had time to regroup as they fell further behind two minutes later after a neat through pass from Ibanez found Galeno, who nutmegged keeper Neil Etheridge to slot the ball into the back of the net.

Buriram thought they had been handed a lifeline when Merih Demiral's foul on Martin Boakye prompted referee Ahmed Al Kaf to point to the spot but their joy was shortlived after the decision was overturned following a VAR review.

  The Thai side had a narrow escape in the 27th minute when Marcelo Taritolay's poor clearance allowed Galeno to slip the ball through to Firmino, whose effort was foiled by Etheridge.

Clearly missing injured duo Theerathon Bunmathan and Suphanat Mueanta, Buriram conceded a third at the half hour mark with Firmino tapped home Merih Demiral's header as Al Ahli sauntered into the break well in control of their destiny. 

With Al Ahli content to defend their lead, the onus was on Buriram to find their way back and head coach Osmar Loss sent on Lucas Crispim, Goran Causic, Guilherme Bissoli and Supachai Chaided after the hour mark in an attempt to resurrect his side's hopes. 

Al Ahli, however, looked the more dangerous each time they ventured forward, with a late penalty overturned following a VAR review, but further goals were not needed as they comfortably saw out the match and will now look forward to locking horns with Al Hilal in their bid to lift the coveted trophy for the first time. (QNA)