Sharjah FC Wins Inaugural AFC Champions League Two Title in Singapore
May 19, 2025
Sharjah Football Club has claimed its first-ever continental title after winning the inaugural edition of the AFC Champions League Two. The Emirati side defeated Singapore's Lion City Sailors 2–1 in a tightly contested final held at Bishan Stadium in Singapore.
The match remained goalless for much of the game until Firas Belarbi broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, giving Sharjah a 1–0 lead. However, the Lion City Sailors fought back, equalising in stoppage time when Belgian midfielder Maxime Lestienne found the net in the 91st minute. With the score level and the match heading into extra time, Sharjah regained control when Marcus Meloni scored in the 97th minute, sealing the win and the championship for the UAE-based club.
The final attracted a crowd of 9,737 spectators and was officiated by Bahraini referee Ammar Mahfoodh. Amongst the standout performers throughout the tournament was Sharjah's Caio Lucas, who was named the competition's Most Valuable Player. Lucas scored five goals during the campaign, playing a key role in his club's successful run.
As champions, Sharjah have secured an indirect preliminary stage slot in the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Elite, subject to their domestic qualification status. The victory also places Sharjah in the history books as only the second football club from the United Arab Emirates to secure continental silverware, following Al Ain's triumphs in the AFC Champions League in 2003 and again in 2024.
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