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CairoScene
19-05-2025
- Sport
- CairoScene
Sharjah FC Wins Inaugural AFC Champions League Two Title in Singapore
Sharjah FC defeated Singapore's Lion City Sailors 2–1 in the final of the first AFC Champions League Two, earning their first continental title and a potential spot in the AFC Champions League Elite. 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.
Malay Mail
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Lion City Sailors miss out on continental glory after last-gasp defeat to UAE's Sharjah in Bishan final
SINGAPORE, May 18 – The Lion City Sailors fell just short of making history yesterday after losing 2-1 to United Arab Emirates side Sharjah in the AFC Champions League Two final at Bishan Stadium. Marcus Meloni's dramatic goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time clinched the win for Sharjah, denying the Sailors a chance to become the first Singapore club to win a continental title. 'Our guys did a tremendous job, especially after going 1-0 down. It was a shame that we [conceded] a very late 2-1 goal, but I have nothing to say except that I am very, very proud of my boys,' Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic was quoted telling CNA. The Sailors had reached the final after defeating Sydney FC 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals and overcoming Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the quarter-finals, thanks to a ruling that overturned their first-leg loss. Firas Ben Larbi gave the visitors the lead in the 74th minute before Maxime Lestienne equalised in stoppage time, sending the home crowd of 9,737 into raptures. Despite dominating possession, Sharjah had two early goals ruled out for offside, while the Sailors came close through Diogo Costa, who struck the post in the first half. Sharjah, who are currently second in the UAE Pro League, secured their spot in the final after edging Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun 2-1 on aggregate. Originally slated for Jalan Besar Stadium, the final was moved to Bishan Stadium after Sharjah raised concerns about the venue, prompting capacity upgrades to accommodate around 10,000 fans. The prestigious match could not be hosted in the National Stadium, as it was already booked for Lady Gaga's Asian exclusive tour. The Sailors' run marked the furthest any Singaporean club has progressed since 2018, when Home United, their predecessor, reached the inter-zone semi-finals of the AFC Cup.
New Paper
18-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Lion City Sailors denied at final hurdle as Sharjah FC clinch AFC Champions League Two title
For six electrifying minutes on May 18, the air of excitement inside the Bishan Stadium was palpable as the majority of the 9,737 capacity crowd was suddenly charged by hope in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two final. The hosts, Singapore's Lion City Sailors, had just clawed their way back with Maxime Lestienne's equaliser in the first of 11 minutes of stoppage time against United Arab Emirates' Sharjah FC, who had taken a 74th-minute lead. But the Sailors supporters' hearts were shattered in the seventh minute of stoppage time, as Sharjah midfielder Marcus Meloni silenced the stadium with a clinical winner, dashing the Sailors' bid to become the first club from Singapore to win a continental title as they won 2-1. At the final whistle, the Sailors slumped to the ground while a long night of celebrations was just getting started for Sharjah and their 500 travelling fans. Sailors captain Hariss Harun was crestfallen after the late defeat. "For a moment, when we got the goal back, we had the belief to try to go and win the game. But of course, it's risk and reward. They got a second goal and we ran out of time. We are disappointed," said the Singapore skipper, 34. "It's been historic for us as a club to come this far. Obviously, when we get to the final, we want to win it as well. But today showed that it wasn't meant to be." The tight encounter saw the Sailors enjoy most of the chances, but it was Sharjah who made the breakthrough in the 74th minute. Brazil-born attacker Caio Lucas was afforded time to pick out the overlapping Khaled Ibrahim at the far post. He then pulled the ball back for Tunisian international Firas Ben Larbi to finish past Izwan Mahbud. There was a glimmer of hope yet when the fourth official signalled 11 minutes of added time, a just reward for the Sailors who were often frustrated by Sharjah players going down to receive treatment. Just a minute into stoppage time, Lestienne looked to have sent the game into extra time. The Belgian expertly guided Diogo Costa's low cross into the bottom corner of the net. But Sharjah restored their advantage six minutes later when Meloni, who was born in Brazil but represents the UAE internationally, found space just inside the left side of the box and found the far corner of Izwan's net, as the travelling fans erupted in sheer delirium. The hosts went close twice in search of another equaliser, first a scramble in the box in the ninth minute of added time from a Lestienne cross and then substitute Shawal Anuar went close minutes later but could not connect with the ball as Sharjah saw out the game to bag the US$2.5 million (S$3.2 million) prize money, with the Sailors receiving US$1 million. Lion City Sailors' goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud in action during the match. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO While it will count as consolation, the Sailors, who became Singapore's first privatised football team in 2020, had already made history by being the first team from the Republic to feature in a continental final. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the guest of honour who handed out medals to both the winners and runners-up, said in a Facebook post later: "The players and their coaches and trainers did give it their all, eventually going down 2-1 in a close-fought match. "It will always be tough competing internationally. But there's something to the spirit of a small country." The point of pride is one that Sailors coach Aleksandar Rankovic made in his post-match conference. The Serb said: "The No. 1 lesson (from our campaign), is that you should never stop dreaming and believing. Every game we played in this campaign, we were the underdog and rightfully so because we come from Singapore. This year showed me that if you believe it... if you have a group of players that I have, you can go so far. "Is that going to be the case next year? I don't know, but if we can repeat at least half of what we did this year, especially in the Champions League, I will be very satisfied." His counterpart, Romanian Cosmin Olaroiu, who will be taking over as UAE coach, said: "My dream was to win a continental trophy... and finally, I did this. And of course, I have the dream to participate in the World Cup and I will do my best to reach this one. And I think this fantastic nation deserves that." ACL2 Champions Sharjah FC, lifting the trophy after beating Lion City Sailors, at Bishan Stadium. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR The Sailors' unprecedented voyage to the final started with them topping Group F ahead of 2023 Chinese Super League second runners-up Zhejiang Professional, Thai League 1's third-placed Port FC and Indonesia Liga 1 champions Persib Bandung. In the knockout rounds, there was a convincing aggregate win over Muangthong United from Thailand in the round of 16 before lady luck shone on them, as they were able to turn a 6-1 quarter-final, first-leg loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima into a 3-0 win after the Japanese side fielded an ineligible player. They then held the Japanese side to a brave 1-1 draw at home. In the semi-finals, the Sailors came through with a 2-1 aggregate win over Australia's Sydney FC. Having clinched the 2024-25 Singapore Premier League title on May 10, the Sailors are still on course for a double, though. They will face Brunei DPMM in a two-legged Singapore Cup semi-final on May 21 and 27. Will the Sailors enjoy such support again when they return to domestic competition? That was on the mind of several local football supporters after the match. One of them, Nicole Yang, who works in the banking industry, was in the South Stand, where she said fellow home supporters barely sat down during the match. "It was electrifying when the Sailors equalised, but heartbreaking when Sharjah got the late winner," said the 26-year-old. "It would be great for Singapore football if this level of support can be translated to the Singapore Premier League."
Arab News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Sharjah FC win first Asian title with dramatic victory in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Sharjah beat Lion City Sailors 2-1 on Sunday to win the AFC Champions League Two title in dramatic fashion. A second half goal from Firas Ben Larbi looked to have been enough to give the team from the UAE a first continental title at the Singapore home of their opponents. Yet Maxime Lestienne's injury time equaliser appeared likely to send the game into extra-time before the impressive Marcus Meloni won it in the 97th minute. Never stop dreaming. Never stop striving. Sharjah engrave their legacy as the 2024/25 #ACLTwo champions! — #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) May 18, 2025 It was the end of a long run to the final for Cosmin Olaroiu, who now leaves the club to take charge of the UAE national team with a 22nd title as a coach, and his men and it was a hard-fought victory in front of 10,000 fans at the Bishan Stadium. Lion City had the best chances of the first half and the home fans thought that the deadlock had been broken after 35 minutes. Rui Pires found Diego Costa on the left corner of the area and the Portuguese star controlled the ball and then, in the same motion, fired a low shot that came back off the post. One of the visitors' best moments came in added time at the end of the first half. David Petrovic curled a dangerous cross into the area from the left but Luanzinho's header was just a little too high and a little too wide. Midway through the second half Sharjah should have taken the lead. Ousmane Camara rose high at the near post to meet a corner from Meloni but headed just wide with the goal at his mercy. Seconds later, Luanzinho fired into the side-netting. Soon after that, Ben Larbi had the ball in the net, although the Tunisian was clearly offside. Then with 16 minutes remaining Sharjah took the lead to the delight of a sizeable contingent of fans in red and white. Khaled Ibrahim timed his run on the right side of the area perfectly to put the ball across the face of goal for Ben Larbi to tap home from close range. Ten minutes later, Sharjah almost extended their lead. Meloni's clever free kick from the right was blocked by Izwan Mahbud and Cho Yu-min, quick to the rebound, headed over from close range. The hosts pushed forward in search of an equaliser and while they had chances, Sharjah looked fairly comfortable. Then just after 11 minutes added time had been signalled, it was all square. Costa's pass found its way to Lestienne in space in the area, and the Belgian fired home. As all prepared themselves for extra time, Sharjah won it in the 97th minute through a piece of Meloni magic. The Brazilian-born midfielder had possession on the left of a crowded area, made room for himself and then curled a perfect shot from a tight angle into the opposite corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any final. There were some scary moments as the Sailors threw everything forward but this time, Sharjah held on and celebrated in front of their delirious travelling fans. 'It means a lot for us, the country and the fans and we worked so hard for this,' Meloni said. 'The final was like the rest of the competition. I am happy to score the winning goal but this was for the team and the coach, who deserves it.'
CNA
18-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Singapore's Lion City Sailors fall to UAE side Sharjah, miss out on AFC Champions League Two title
SINGAPORE: The Lion City Sailors' fairytale voyage came to an end on Sunday (May 18) after they lost to United Arab Emirates side Sharjah in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) final. Sharjah won the game 2-1 at a packed Bishan Stadium, with a goal from Marcus Meloni sealing the win. Firas Ben Larbi had earlier put the UAE side ahead before the Sailors' Maxime Lestienne levelled the tie in injury time. The Sailors had overcome considerable odds and several top sides, such as Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Australia's Sydney FC, to reach the final. They were crowned Singapore Premier League champions on Saturday and can still complete a domestic double should they lift the Singapore Cup, where they are slated to face Brunei DPMM in the semi-finals. Sharjah are second in the UAE Pro League. They beat Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun 2-1 on aggregate to book their spot in Sunday's decider. Prior to the final, Sharjah had expressed reservations about the decider being hosted at the Jalan Besar Stadium, claiming that it "does not meet the aspirations of the fans and stakeholders". The 55,000-seater National Stadium was ruled out as a venue as it had been booked well in advance for Lady Gaga's Lion City Mayhem concerts on May 18, 19, 21 and 24. This meant that the final was played at Bishan Stadium with improvements undertaken such as the building of three new stands to increase its capacity by more than three times to accommodate about 10,000 spectators. The Sailors booked their place in the final after beating Australia's Sydney FC 2-1 over two legs. In the quarters, the Singaporean side beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 on aggregate. All seemed lost for the Sailors after they lost to the Japanese giants in the first leg of the quarter-finals 6-1. But the result was later chalked off, and they were awarded a 3-0 win by the Asian footballing body, as Sanfrecce had fielded a player who was supposed to be serving a three-match suspension. The Sailors then registered a 1-1 draw in the second leg at home. Previously known as the AFC Cup, the ACL2 is the second-tier Asian club football tournament with a revamped format. The last time a Singapore side reached the knockout stages of an AFC club competition was in 2018, when Home United, as the Sailors were previously known, got as far as the inter-zone semi-finals in the 2018 edition of the AFC Cup.
