Ajman produced a remarkable second-half comeback to overturn a two-goal deficit and beat Sharjah 3-2 in a thrilling ADIB Cup first-round encounter at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium on Saturday.
Sharjah made the stronger start and took the lead after 12 minutes. Cheickna Doumbia collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before unleashing a powerful strike that flew beyond the reach of the Ajman goalkeeper.
The visitors continued to look the more dangerous side and doubled their advantage three minutes before half-time. Igor Coronado's long-range effort appeared routine, but a difficult bounce caught the Ajman goalkeeper out, leaving the ball loose inside the area. Doumbia reacted quickest to turn in the rebound and complete his brace.
Ajman faced a daunting task after the break, but their response was emphatic.
The hosts began to increase the pressure and were rewarded in the 72nd minute. Sekou Baba received the ball just outside the penalty area, beat his marker with a sharp movement and unleashed an unstoppable strike beyond the goalkeeper to give Ajman a lifeline.
The momentum shifted almost immediately. Just two minutes later, Ajman were level. Jobson Santos collected possession outside the box, drove inside with confidence and found the bottom corner with a precise low finish to complete a remarkable comeback in the space of just 120 seconds.
Sharjah were suddenly under sustained pressure, and Ajman continued to push for the winner.
Their persistence finally paid off deep into stoppage time. Lithierry Silva threaded a superb through ball behind the Sharjah defence, releasing Victor Henrique into space. The forward raced onto the pass, rounded the onrushing goalkeeper and calmly finished into an empty net to complete the turnaround in the 93rd minute.
Ajman's comeback was built on a dramatic change in momentum after the interval. Trailing 2-0, they increased their attacking intensity and found greater success attacking the space around Sharjah's defensive line. Once Baba pulled a goal back, the hosts capitalised on their momentum to level within two minutes before delivering the decisive blow in stoppage time.
Sharjah will reflect on a match that appeared firmly in their control for more than an hour, only for Ajman's late surge to turn the contest on its head.
The result gives Ajman a winning start to their ADIB Cup campaign, while Sharjah leave Rashid bin Saeed Stadium empty-handed despite holding a two-goal lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.
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