Sharjah started on the front foot with Guilherme Biro warming the gloves of Payam Niazmand with a powerful strike in the seventh minute after Steven Nzonzi lost possession at the edge of his penalty box.

The six-time UAE League champions took control of the game and found the breakthrough in the 26th minute when Khaled Aldhanhani surged down the right before sending a low cross which bypassed Tyrone Conraad but found Ousmane Camara who rifled his shot into the roof of the net.

Sepahan gradually grew into the game and shaded possession towards the end of the first half with Mohammad Karimi and Bryan Dabo controlling the middle of the pitch but were let down in the final third with Sharjah custodian Adel Alhosani unchallenged.

Sepahan were more incisive after the break and drew level in the 51st minute when Mehdi Mohebi got past David Petrovic before laying the ball for Mehdi Limouchi for a tap-in.

The same two players combined in the 63rd minute but this time, Limouchi’s flick was well anticipated by Alhosani.

Sharjah moved up a gear midway through the second half following the introduction of Luan Pereirra and it was the Brazilian who restored the home side’s lead, running onto Majed Hassan’s pass in the 70th minute before slotting past Alhosani.

An injury to Mohammad Abdulbasit in the 84th minute meant that Sharjah had to play the remainder of the match with only 10 men as they had already used up all of their substitutions but were still able add another goal through Caio Fernandes in the closing stages to seal the win.