Sharjah and Nasaf bid to maintain unbeaten run, eye Round of 16 berth

Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Sports Reporter

UAE’s Sharjah will look to bounce back from the disappointment of their loss against Khorfakkan in the ADIB Cup match, when they take on Uzbekistan’s Nasaf in their AFC Champions League at their home ground on Monday.

Sharjah were defeated by Khorfakkan in the first leg of the quarter-final of the ADIB Cup when they started their title defence. ADIB cup is played in a different format.

All the rounds are played in home and away format except the final, which is held at a neutral venue. On the completion of the first round, six teams advanced to the quarter-finals and joined winners and the runners-up to complete the last eight line-up.

Sharjah are lying at fifth place in the standings of the Pro League with nine points. It was a big setback for Sharjah just before their continental championship match against Nasaf.

Sharjah coach Cosmin Olariou downplayed their loss to Khorfakkan and ruled out that the result of the last match will have any bearing on the outcome of the upcoming encounter.

“We did not play to our potential against Khorfakkan. We missed quite a few chances and conceded too many goals. We had a few chances, which could have been converted into goals.

“But that is past now and we are looking forward to our next games against Nasaf. It is a big stage and the stakes are very high. We will try to give our best and we are determined to win the match.

“We are playing at our home ground. We know the conditions well and will look to capitalize in that experience. I am sure out supporters will come in large to cheer us,” said Olariou, who was named as the Best Coach of the Year.

Sharjah capped a stellar season by winning three trophies despite finishing in the mid-table in the league. They clinched the Super Cup, ADIB Cup and the prestigious President’s Cup last season.

Sharjah will bank on their international signings Caio Lucas Miralem Pjanic and Sebastian Tagliabue, who moved to Sharjah this season, is also likely to create his impact on the match. He has scored three goals for Sharjah in five matches across all the competitions

Trio are the mainstay of Sharjah. Caio has plied his trade with teams like Benfica. He has been with Sharjah since 2019.

He is one of the most important cogs in the wheels of Sharjah’s winning juggernaut. He has played 22 AFC Champions League matches for Sharjah, scoring six goals. Pjanic joined Sharjah in 2021. He has also played for the top European teams like Barcelona, Roma and Juventus to name a few. He has appeared in 35 matches for Sharjah across all the tournaments and scored five goals.

Among the local players, Shahin Abdulrahman and Khaled Ebraheim will be the players to watch out for.

The top of the table clash promises to be a mouthwatering encounter. Both Nasaf and Sharjah are brimming with confidence and will look to maintain their unbeaten streak in the competition.

Nasaf are at the top of their group with six points from two games after having procured two victories from as many games. They defeated Al Sadd of Qatar 3-1 after beating Al Faisaly of Jordan 1-0.

Sharjah are also unbeaten in the tournament but they are at the second spot with four points after winning one and drawing the other. They palyed out a goalless draw against Al Sadd and Al Faisaly 1-0.

Sharjah have a water-tight defence and have managed to keep their slate clean so far. But the goals have not come easily for them either.

Contrary to that, Nasaf have scored four goals in two matches and will. Their opening 1-0 win over Al Faisaly was followed by 3-1 victory over Al Sadd.

Victory for Nasaf at the Sharjah Stadium will give the Uzbekistan side a five-point lead going into the reverse fixtures, which will put Sharjah's hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 in peril.

With only the group winners assured of advancing to the Round of 16, Sharjah will be desperate for the three points.