Shabab Al Ahli pay penalty as Sharjah advance to ACL semis

Goalkeeper Adel Alhosani was the hero for Sharjah after he saved Kauan Santos’ penalty with the UAE side to face Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun FC In the semi-finals

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Sharjah FC advanced into the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 semi-finals after defeating Shabab Al Ahli 5-4 on penalties after their quarter-final second leg tie ended 1-1 on the night after extra time and 2-2 on aggregate on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Adel Alhosani was the hero for Sharjah after he saved Kauan Santos’ penalty with the UAE side to face Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun FC in the semi-finals.

Shabab thought they had taken the lead in the third minute after Sardar Azmoun threaded a through ball for Mateusao, who slipped it past Sharjah keeper Adel Alhosani and into the net, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Shabab came knocking again four minutes later when Azmoun dinked a clever pass into the path of Mateusao, but Alhosani produced a save from point blank range to deny the Brazilian.

Azmoun came close in the 27th minute after Mateus Henrique sent a looping cross into the box for the Islamic Republic of Iran forward who headed the ball just over the bar.

Sharjah finally got into the thick of things five minutes later following a well constructed build-up involving Caio and Marcus Meloni, who set up Ousmane Camara who, however, dragged his effort wide.