Sharjah FC etched their name in Asian football history by lifting the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 title with a stunning 2-1 last-gasp victory over Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in an electrifying final at Bishan Stadium on Sunday night.
In a pulsating encounter that looked destined for extra time, Marcus Meloni emerged the hero with a sensational 97th-minute winner, sealing a momentous victory for the United Arab Emirates club — and providing a fitting farewell for head coach Cosmin Olăroiu, who will now take charge of the UAE national team.
The win saw Sharjah become the first UAE club to win the ACL Two title, joining illustrious domestic rivals Al Ain — champions of the top-tier AFC Champions League™ in 2003 and 2024 — as the only clubs from the Gulf state to claim continental honours.
“It’s an emotional moment. These players showed resilience, heart, and belief until the final whistle,” said Olăroiu. “I couldn’t have asked for a better send-off.”
The match began cautiously, with both sides probing but unable to break the deadlock early. Meloni tested Izwan Mahbud with a long-range free-kick, while Bart Ramselaar and Diogo Costa came closest for the Sailors — the latter rattling the post with a fierce drive in the 33rd minute.
Sharjah’s breakthrough came in the 74th minute, when Caio Lucas floated in a teasing cross that was met by Khaleed Ebraheim, whose sliding delivery found Firas Ben Arbi at the far post. The Tunisian made no mistake, coolly slotting past Izwan to give Sharjah the lead.
Just as Sharjah began to tighten their grip, the Sailors found a lifeline.
With seconds of regular time remaining, Maxime Lestienne — the club’s talismanic winger — fired a low, left-footed strike through a sea of legs and into the net, sending the home fans into raptures and forcing extra-time onto the horizon.
In the dying seconds of stoppage time, the Brazilian full-back received the ball just inside the left edge of the Sailors’ box, cut inside onto his right foot, and curled a sublime low shot into the far corner beyond Izwan’s outstretched hand — a goal worthy of any final.
“When the ball came to me, I just knew I had to take the chance. It’s a moment I’ll never forget,” said a jubilant Meloni.
Despite a brave and spirited performance, the Lion City Sailors, led by coach Aleksandar Ranković, fell just short of a fairytale finish to their impressive continental campaign.
Credit Photo : LCS
