While clubs from the UAE have a rich history in the top tier of Asian club football, this season marked their debut in the AFC Champions League Two, previously known as the AFC Cup.

With Lion City Sailors becoming the first team from Singapore to make a major Asian final, Sunday's showdown also marks the first to feature debutant teams in the decider since Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim defeated Tajikistan's FC Istiklol in the 2015 AFC Cup.

Lion City have lost only one of their six home games in the competition this season (W4 D1), and are unbeaten in their last four (W3 D1). Those matches, however, were played at the Jalan Besar Stadium while the final will be contested at the Bishan Stadium.

Sharjah have lost only two of their six away games (including neutral venues) in the tournament this season (W3 D1). They are, however, winless in their last two (D1 L1).

Shawal Anuar will go into the final with the added lure of potentially emerging the top scorer with the Lion City Sailors star on eight goals, one behind Shabab Al Ahli's Sardar Azmoun.

Sharjah's answer to Shawal is Caio Lucas, with the UAE international enjoying a rich vein of form on the continental stage, with five goals and three assists.

The Sailors will head into the final with confidence boosted after claiming the Singapore Premier League title last week. It is their second crown, having emerged champions for the first time in 2021. They finished runners-up behind Albirex Niigata the past two seasons.

Having already settled for two runners-up finishes this season, Sharjah will be desperate to lay their hands on the AFC Champions League Two trophy. They were denied the UAE Pro League and President's Cup titles by Shabab Al Ahli, who they defeated in the quarter-finals of continental tournament.