Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Sharjah have reached the finals of the Asian Champions League (ACL) Two division after overturning a 1-0 deficit by smashing two goals past Saudi Arabia club Al Taawoun in a super-late recovery in front of a home crowd on a muggy Tuesday night.
Coach Cosmin Olaroiu hailed everyone’s efforts in snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, but reserved special mention for goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani for keeping the team in the hunt especially in the first half when he saved a penalty. In the end, they struck two goals deep into injury time and sailed through. “This was a special night. I thank the players, the fans and all the members of the Sharjah club. We deserve to reach this stage,” said Olaroiu.
In a season of disappointment for the UAE clubs at the Asian level of competitions, where ACL champions Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli and ADNOC Pro League holders Al Wasl have fallen by the wayside, Sharjah are now one step away the winner’s trophy. They now play Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in the May 18 final at a yet undecided venue.
After a goalless second leg in regular time and with the clock past four minutes of added time, Sharjah breathed life into the game when Ousmane Camara found the equaliser. He bundled home a rebound after goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiiay had blocked Tyrone Conraad’s point-blank header. Six minutes later, Ben Arbi timed his run to perfection to latch onto Caio Fernandes’ through ball before slotting the ball past Atiiay.
Earlier, Sharjah soaked up early pressure and could have fallen further behind. in the 15th minute, a penalty was awarded in Al Taawoun’s favour following Shaheen Abdalla’s foul on Roger Martinez but Achraf El Mahdioui’s spot-kick was saved by Al Hosani. The Sharjah keeper also had to punch away a stinging Faycal Fajr half-volley from the edge of the box to keep the match goalless at half-time.
Olaroiu, in talks with the UAE Football Association to replace the sacked Paulo Bento as the national team manager, then played his part in the break. Admitting to the initial poor start, he later said to the media in the post-match conference: “We were nervous, which led to mistakes.
“However, after 20 minutes, we got into the game. At half-time, I told the players that the only outcome when you feel afraid is losing, and that there is no other outcome.
“The turning point in the match was goalkeeper Adel’s penalty save, and it wasn’t the first time he has saved us. Now we have a chance to win the title and we must fight for it,” the Romanian said.
Olaroiu is no stranger to fightbacks. He motivated the team to a similar fightback against Al Wasl in the President’s Cup earlier from 2-0 down. In the ACL’s 2015-16 season also, as coach of Shabab Al Ahli, his team found the winner in the 94th minute against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, the 3-2 score in the second leg coming after a 1-1 draw in the first game.
His counterpart Mohammed Al Abdali was gracious in defeat. “We congratulate Sharjah for qualifying. We suffered from circumstances which affected the team’s organisation [Al Taawoun had to play a league game and fly straight to Sharjah].
“We apologise to our fans, especially those who were present in Sharjah. Our desire was to bring them joy. I also thank the players for their efforts during the tournament,” the Al Taawoun manager said.
