The match between Al Duhail and their visitors, Sharjah FC of the UAE, ended in a 1-1 draw. The game was held at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium (Al Duhail Club) as part of Matchday 7 of the League Stage in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Duhail Starting XI
Under the leadership of the Head Coach Djamel Belmadi, Al Duhail started with the following lineup: Salah Zakaria (GK), Bassam Al Rawi, Edmilson Junior, Krzysztof Piątek, Luiz Junior, Sultan Al Brake, Benjamin Bourigeaud, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Ibrahima Bamba, Boubakary Soumaré, and Adil Boulbina.
Match Highlights
6th Minute: Al Duhail nearly took an early lead. Benjamin Bourigeaud delivered the team’s first corner, which Jean-Charles Castelletto met with a powerful header that sailed just over the crossbar.
11th Minute: After a skillful dribble through Al Sharjah defense, Edmilson unleashed a powerful shot. Al Sharjah keeper made the save, but the rebound fell to Adil Boulbina, who slotted it into the net. However, the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
12th Minute: Edmilson Junior broke through the defense again and sent a precise cross to the far post. Boubakary Soumaré met it with a left-footed strike, but the post denied him the opening goal.
14th Minute: Edmilson Junior attempted another shot from outside the box, but it missed the target.
37th Minute: Showcasing his trademark skill, Adil Boulbina nearly opened the scoring, but his shot was deflected for a corner by Al Sharjah defender.
41st Minute (Goal): Sharjah took the lead against the run of play. Igor Coronado converted a penalty to make it 1-0, a lead they held until halftime.
62nd Minute: Offside once again frustrated Al Duhail, denying Adil Boulbina a goal after he connected with a cross from the right wing by Edmilson.
65th Minute: Edmilson Junior dazzled the defense once more, finishing the move with a strong left-footed shot that went wide, missing another chance to level the score.
81st Minute (Goal): Al Duhail finally equalized. Adil Boulbina scored from the penalty spot. He had missed his initial attempt, but the officials ordered a retake because Al Sharjah goalkeeper had moved off his line early. On the second try, Boulbina made no mistake, making it 1-1.
90+1 Minute: In stoppage time, a header from Piątek nearly snatched a win for Al Duhail, but it went wide.
With this draw, Al Duhail managed to get a point, bringing their total to 8 points, thus maintaining their seventh position that qualifies them for the next round, one round before the end of the league stage. Meanwhile, Al Sharjah total also rose to 8 points, maintaining their eighth position behind Al Duhail on goal difference.
