Sharjah kicked off their ADNOC Pro League campaign with a 3-1 win over hosts Al Dhafra at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium in the opening matchweek of the season.
Luan Pereira opened the scoring for Sharjah in the 39th minute, before Mendy brought Al Dhafra level in the 59th. Julimar restored Sharjah’s advantage in the 66th minute, while Agner sealed the win with a third goal in the 98th minute.
Sharjah headed into the break with a 1-0 advantage after Luan Pereira broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, finishing off a well-worked move created by Igor Coronado.
The first half produced opportunities at both ends. Kodjo Laba thought he had given Al Dhafra the lead in the 20th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.
Al Dhafra goalkeeper Eisa Houti was also called into action in the 37th minute, producing an important save to deny Julimar.
Sharjah held a slight edge in possession during the opening half with 52.3%, compared to Al Dhafra’s 47.7%, while also recording six attempts to the hosts’ three.
Al Dhafra emerged with greater attacking intent after the break and pushed for an equaliser. Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Alhosani produced an impressive save in the 51st minute to keep out a powerful effort from Rostand Djehou.
The hosts’ pressure eventually paid off in the 59th minute when Mendy fired a powerful shot from outside the penalty area into the left side of the net to make it 1-1.
Sharjah needed only seven minutes to regain the lead. Julimar struck in the 66th minute, finding the net with a finish from inside the penalty area to put the visitors back in front.
Al Dhafra appeared to have equalised for a second time in the 89th minute through Cheickna Doumbia, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up.
Sharjah then put the result beyond doubt in the eighth minute of stoppage time, as Agner broke clear from the halfway line before finishing to secure a 3-1 win and all three points.
The result also extended Sharjah’s impressive record in season openers, as they registered a victory in their opening ADNOC Pro League fixture for the eighth consecutive campaign.
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