AFC Champions League Two - Road to Final: Sharjah FC (UAE)

Kuala Lumpur: Sharjah FC will be aiming to win their first continental trophy with victory over Singapore's Lion City Sailors in the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 final at the Bishan Stadium on Sunday.

As the side from the United Arab Emirates complete their final preparations, the-AFC.com takes a look at their journey to the final.

Group Stage

Sharjah got off to a perfect start, with Firas Ben Arbi's 72nd minute strike giving them a 1-0 win over Tajikistan's FC Istiklol.

Sharjah, however, had to come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Jordan's Al Wehdat with Darko Nejasmic netting their equaliser.

#ACLTwo | Group C: Sharjah FC (UAE) 3 - 1 Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN)

A 3-1 win against Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC on Matchday Three left them firmly on course for the knockout stage but the Islamic Republic of Iran side exacted revenge in the reverse fixture, winning by the same score.

Sharjah, however, cruised into the Round of 16 with 3-1 victories against Istiklol and Al Wehdat as they topped Group C with 13 points.

Round of 16

Up next were Al Hussein, with Sharjah taking a valuable lead from the away fixture thanks to Caio Lucas' 42nd minute strike.

#ACLTwo | R16, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 0 - 1 (1-1 AGG; 3-0 PSO) Al Hussein (JOR)

The Jordan side, however, fought back in the return leg with Mahmoud Al Mardi's 41st minute goal ultimately forcing a a penalty shootout to decide the tie.

Sharjah were sharper from the spot, winning 3-0 to advance.

Quarter-finals

The last eight tie was an all-UAE affair, with Shabab Al Ahli their opponents.

Sardar Azmoun gave Shabab Al Ahli the lead in the 46th minute but Caio Lucas equalised in the 68th to leave the tie finely balanced.

#ACLTwo | QF, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 1-1 AET (2-2 AGG; 5-4 PSO) Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Marcus Meloni's 35th minute goal saw Sharjah go ahead on aggregate but just when thoughts of victory were entertained, Mu'nas Dabbur scored the equaliser in the fourth minute of time added on.

Neither side was able to find another goal, with a penalty shootout needed.

Goalkeeper Adel Alhosani emerged the hero for Sharjah, saving Kauan Santos’ effort as they advanced with a 5-4 win.

Semi-finals

Awaiting them in the semi-finals were Al Taawoun, with the side from Saudi Arabia enjoying home ground advantage in the first half.

They got off to a dream start, with Abdelhamid Sabiri giving them the lead in the second minute.

Al Taawoun, however, were not able to add to the score, giving Sharjah hope going into the return leg.

#ACLTwo | SF, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 2-0 (2-1 AGG) Al Taawoun FC (KSA)

Victory came late though, with Ousmane Camara equalising in the fourth minute of time added on and Ben Arbi striking the winner five minutes later as Sharjah took their place in the final.

Road to Final: Sharjah FC (UAE)

Road to Final: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)

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