Sharjah FC climbed to the top of the Adnoc Pro League standings with a decisive 2-0 victory over Shabab Al Ahli at Sharjah Stadium on Saturday. This win, achieved during Matchweek 8, was marked by an own goal from Oumar Keita in the 70th minute and a late strike from substitute Harib Abdalla Suhail in the 86th minute.
With this result, Sharjah now holds 15 points, temporarily placing them first in the league, while Shabab Al Ahli remains in third with 13 points. The match showcased a competitive first half, ending goalless despite both teams creating opportunities. Sharjah’s Lorran De Sousa tested Shabab Al Ahli’s goalkeeper Hamad Almeqbaali early on, forcing him into a challenging save in the ninth minute. Almeqbaali continued to shine, denying Luan Pereira’s acrobatic overhead kick shortly after.
Match Highlights
Shabab Al Ahli also posed a threat, with Sardar Azmoun hitting the crossbar before halftime. Sharjah dominated possession in the first half, holding 54.7%, but struggled to convert their chances into goals. After the break, Sharjah ramped up the pressure, but Almeqbaali was again pivotal, making three crucial saves in quick succession against Luan Pereira, Laba Kodjo, and Lorran De Sousa.
Sharjah finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute when Keita inadvertently turned the ball into his own net. Just minutes later, Harib Abdalla Suhail, who had just come off the bench, doubled the lead with a well-executed individual effort, securing all three points for the hosts.
Kalba’s Comeback Victory
In another match, Kalba achieved a remarkable comeback, defeating Al Dhafra 3-1 at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium. Al Dhafra initially took the lead through Sory Kaba in the 20th minute, but the hosts faced a setback when Karim El Berkaoui was sent off, leaving them with ten men.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Al Dhafra held onto their lead until halftime. However, Kalba responded strongly in the second half, with Benjamin Tetteh equalizing from the penalty spot in the 50th minute after a handball by Rostand Djooh. Just two minutes later, Ahmad Noorollah scored to give Kalba a 2-1 lead. Antonio Junior sealed the victory with a third goal in stoppage time, completing a stunning turnaround.
These results reflect the competitive nature of the Adnoc Pro League, with teams battling for crucial points as the season progresses. For more details, visit Gulf Today.
