In a thrilling encounter on March 18, 2025, Shabab Al-Ahli secured a significant advantage in the semifinal of the ADIB Cup by defeating Sharjah 3-1. The match, held at Sharjah Stadium, kicked off with an astonishing pace as both teams fought for control. Renan opened the scoring for Shabab Al-Ahli in the 11th minute, connecting with a brilliant cross. Within minutes, Mateus doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, followed by Sharjah's Othman Kamara reducing the deficit in the 40th minute, but Renan struck again in the dying moments of the first half, ensuring Shabab Al-Ahli led 3-1 by halftime.
This victory puts Shabab Al-Ahli on the brink of reaching the final of the prestigious tournament, needing only to maintain their lead in the return leg at Rashid Stadium next week. Despite Sharjah's commendable ball possession stats, at 51.6% compared to Shabab Al-Ahli's 48.4%, their inability to convert chances into goals proved fatal.
The match statistics highlighted Sharjah’s dominance in possession, yet their failure to capitalize was evident in the number of clear chances created. Shabab Al-Ahli, known for their quick counter-attacks and tactical discipline, made the most of their opportunities, whereas Sharjah struggled to break down their defenses effectively.
Interestingly, since September 2018, Shabab Al-Ahli had not lost any match against Sharjah after taking the lead. This historical edge added psychological pressure on the Sharjah players, who were eager to fix the imbalance come next week.
Additionally, earlier on Tuesday, March 18, Al Wasl also progressed to the finals after narrowly defeating Al Jazira 1-0. Here, Al Wasl demonstrated great defensive solidity and critical finishing, securing their place while Al Jazira has been left to rethink strategies for their return fixture.
Al Wasl’s victory paralleled Shabab Al-Ahli’s, with both teams exhibiting resilience under pressure. Al Wasl had also enjoyed less of the ball, with possession stats showing 46% to Al Jazira’s 54%, yet they executed their attacking strategies with precision, underlining the unpredictable nature of knockout football.
In the aftermath of the duel, Paulo Sousa, Shabab Al-Ahli’s head coach, praised his players' performance. He stated, “The aim was clear from the start, and through sheer effort and passion, we achieved it.” Sousa highlighted the importance of the upcoming second leg against a capable Sharjah side, warning that the match wouldn’t be easy due to Sharjah’s attacking capabilities.
On the flip side, Sharjah’s head coach, Olario Kuzmin, expressed disappointment in the match outcome, emphasizing how his squad needed to elevate their game. He noted that their previous round in the Asian Champions League saw them triumph over the same side. “This match was an opportunity for redemption, but unfortunately, the result did not reflect our potential, and we still have a chance in the second leg,” Kuzmin remarked.
Both teams now have a week to prepare for the return clash, which will be pivotal for Sharjah’s aspirations to overturn the tie and for Shabab Al-Ahli to book their place in the final.
With both matches marking the semifinals of the ADIB Cup, the excitement continues as fans eagerly anticipate the second leg. The teams are set to clash again on March 25, 2025, whether the outcome will affirm Shabab Al-Ahli’s post-match confidence or spark a Sharjah comeback remains to be seen.
