Sharjah beat Khorfakkan in six-goal thriller

Sharjah staged a dramatic and second-half comeback to beat Khorfakkan 4–2 on Thursday in Matchweek 25 of the UAE Pro League, delivering a performance full of grit, flair, and resilience at the Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi Stadium.

The evening began with early dominance from the home side, Khorfakkan, who looked set for a comfortable win after a strong first-half showing. Aylton Filipe opened the scoring in just the 6th minute, pouncing on a goalkeeping error to put his team ahead.

The pressure continued to mount on Sharjah, and in the 32nd minute, Moroccan forward Tarik Tissoudali coolly slotted home a second goal, doubling Khorfakkan’s lead and sending the home fans into raptures.

However, the match turned on its head in the second half as Sharjah emerged from the dressing room with renewed energy and purpose. Brazilian midfielder Luan Pereira sparked the fightback with a well-taken goal in the 54th minute, giving his side hope and momentum.

Sharjah continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Tunisian star Firas Ben Larbi curled in a stunning free-kick to level the score at 2–2.

The turnaround was completed just three minutes later. In the 85th minute, Luan Pereira rose high in the box to meet a cross with a thunderous header, putting Sharjah in front for the first time in the match and silencing the home crowd.

With Khorfakkan reeling, Sharjah didn’t let up. Deep into stoppage time, Guinean forward Ousmane Camara struck in the 97th minute, firing home Sharjah’s fourth goal and sealing a remarkable victory in emphatic fashion.

The win marks a significant step forward for Sharjah, who now climb to second place in the league table with 48 points, just behind the leaders in the title race.

For Khorfakkan, it was a bitter pill to swallow after such a promising first half. Meanwhile, the UAE Pro League has been honored with the 2025 SPIA Award for Best Entity in Sports Fan Engagement Through Media in the Middle East”, in recognition of its outstanding success in connecting with fans through impactful media content and strategic digital outreach.

The award was presented in collaboration with TikTok, following intense competition with prominent organisations across the region.

Presented by the globally renowned ASPIA Sports Industry Awards, the accolade celebrates excellence in the development and promotion of sports in the Middle East.

The UAE Pro League’s innovative approach and media strategies have positioned it as a regional leader in fan engagement and content delivery.

Through a series of high-impact programs produced and shared across TikTok and other major social media platforms, the League has significantly enhanced the visibility of Emirati football.

These efforts have not only promoted the UAE Pro League’s competitions but have also spotlighted its sponsors, strengthened community engagement, and elevated the overall commercial and marketing value of its events.

This recognition is a testament to the League’s commitment to its 2020–2030 strategic vision, which focuses on increasing fan involvement, fostering digital transformation, and expanding the global footprint of Emirati football.