Sharjah FC, a club from UAE made a comeback to edge first finalist position after beating Al Taawoun, a club from Saudi Arabia scoring 2-0 in the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Semi-Final 2nd Leg at Sharjah Stadium, Sharjah.
Trailing from the first leg, the UAE-based club turned up the heat when it mattered most, scoring two late goals in stoppage time to overturn the tie and secure their historic passage into the final.
The visitors started the match with high intensity and nearly doubled their aggregate advantage within the opening five minutes. However, both Sultan Mandash and Musa Barrow failed to convert golden opportunities, firing off target despite being through on goal.
The Saudi club’s best chance came in the 15th minute when they were awarded a penalty following Shaheen Abdalla’s foul on Roger Martinez. But Achraf El Mahdioui’s tame effort from the spot was brilliantly saved by Sharjah’s keeper, Adel Alhosani, keeping the home side’s hopes alive.
Sharjah Grow Into the Game
After surviving the early onslaught, Sharjah slowly began to assert themselves, with veteran playmaker Adel Taarabt pulling the strings. The former Benfica and QPR midfielder created a clear chance for Camara, only for Al Taawoun’s goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiiay to make a crucial block.
Alhosani remained busy at the other end, producing a vital punch to deny a thunderous half-volley from Faycal Fajr just before halftime, keeping the scoreline locked at 0-0.
Sharjah emerged from the break with renewed urgency and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 48th minute, when David Petrovic’s close-range effort was gathered by Atiiay. Taarabt nearly scored directly from a curling cross, only for Atiiay to intervene once again.
But the breakthrough finally came in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Camara pounced on a rebound, smashing home after Conraad’s powerful header was parried. The stadium erupted as Sharjah levelled the tie.
Just six minutes later, Sharjah completed their epic comeback. Caio Fernandes slid a perfectly timed through ball to Ben Arbi, who beat the offside trap and calmly slotted past Atiiay to send the home crowd into delirium.
With the aggregate victory sealed, Sharjah FC now advance to the final of the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25, marking a monumental achievement for the club. Their fighting spirit, tactical resilience, and late-game heroics have not only reignited belief among fans but also placed them one step away from continental glory.
Sharjah’s remarkable turnaround on home soil is a statement of intent—and they will carry that momentum with them as they await their final opponent in what promises to be a blockbuster clash for the title.
Credit Photo : Al Taawoun
