Sharjah to face Shabab Al Ahli in AFC Champions League quarter

First-leg draw sets up exciting second leg

The first leg, played last week at Rashid Stadium in Dubai, ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving both sides hungry to secure their progression to the next round. Sharjah completed their main training session yesterday, while Shabab Al Ahli will hold their final training at the match venue today.

Both teams have shown strong form

Shabab Al Ahli, currently at the top of the ADNOC Pro League, reached the quarter-finals by overcoming Jordan's Al-Wehdat 6-3 on aggregate in the Round of 16. On the other hand, Sharjah, runners-up in the UAE league, advanced after defeating Jordan's Al-Hussein Irbid in a penalty shootout, following two 1-1 draws.

Key players to watch

Sharjah will look to star forward Caio Lucas, who scored in the first leg and has netted four goals in his last four tournament matches. Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ahli will rely on in-form striker Sardar Azmoun, who has already scored five goals in the knockout rounds.

Historical context and rivalry

Shabab Al Ahli, runners-up in the 2015 AFC Champions League under the previous format, aims to reach the semi-finals again, boasting an impressive 26-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. Meanwhile, Sharjah is determined to make history by qualifying for the semi-finals for the first time.

A month of intense rivalry

Tomorrow's match will be one of five encounters between the two sides this month across various competitions. In addition to the AFC Champions League fixtures, they will meet in the two-legged semi-finals of the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup, followed by a league showdown in the 19th round of the ADNOC Pro League.

Semi-final showdown awaits

The winner of this quarter-final will face either Iran's Tractor Sazi or Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun in the semi-finals. The first leg of their encounter ended in a goalless draw, with the decisive second leg taking place tonight at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.