Al Ahli continue perfect Arabian Gulf League start with fightback over Sharjah

Al Ahli 3 Sharjah 1

Al Ahli Fardan 47', Sow 53', Lima 59'

Sharjah Maicosuel 34'

Man of the match Rodrigo Lima (Al Ahli)

Al Ahli overcame a one-goal deficit to claim a 3-1 win over Sharjah, moving them up to second place in the Arabian Gulf League table with a maximum nine points from three games.

The hosts dominated early possession but Wanderley Santos broke away to fire a shot just wide and remind Al Ahli of the visitors’ threat on the counter-attack.

In the 28th minute, Ahli thought they had opened the scoring as Moussa Sow left the ball untouched for Rodrigo Lima to fire into the back of the net, but the linesman’s flag was raised.

Sharjah took a shock lead by the 34th minute as Maicosuel found himself unmarked at a corner kick and was able to tuck away from close range.

Tempers frayed as a wild challenge from Sharjah’s Abdullah Ghanem on Ismail Al Hammadi drew yellow cards for both players, before Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu was sent to the stands.

Fired up for the second half, Al Ahli wasted little time in getting level as Habib Al Fardan rose highest to head home in the 47th minute.

By the 53rd minute, Ahli were ahead as UAE international Al Hammadi released Sow to score his first goal for the club.

Sharjah were reduced to 10 men when defender Hamdan Qassim picked up his second booking, and the game was over as a contest just before the hour when Rodrigo Lima made it four goals in three league games with a looping header.

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