On a football evening that was not without unpleasant surprises for the Emirati fans, Sharjah FC bid farewell to the AFC Champions League after suffering a bitter 1-2 defeat at home to Uzbek side Nasaf, in the eighth and final round of the West Zone league.

Details of the fall in the final meters

Al Sharqawi entered the match with one goal in mind: to secure all three points and revive their slim hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals, while also relying on favorable results from other matches. Nasaf, on the other hand, played without any mathematical pressure, having already been eliminated with only one point from seven games. Ironically, the visiting team displayed a more cohesive and determined performance, as if they were the ones vying for a qualifying spot, while the Emirati side delivered a lackluster display, lacking the necessary attacking effectiveness for such a crucial encounter.

The match began with a relatively energetic start from the home side, but Nasaf quickly showed their teeth with dangerous counter-attacks. In the 27th minute, the referee disallowed a goal for the Uzbek team due to a foul, but this warning failed to rouse Sharjah's defense. Bobur Abdukhalikov scored the opening goal for Nasaf with a well-placed header from a superb cross, putting Sharjah under immense pressure.

Al-Hosani's brilliance and attempts to return

Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani a heroic role in keeping his team in the game during the first half, brilliantly saving a dangerous shot from Adinis Chala in the 33rd minute. He continued to defend his goal with crucial saves that prevented the score from worsening before the break. At the start of the second half, Sharjah's attacking performance improved, and they had several scoring opportunities, the most notable being a curling shot that went just wide of the post.

As the match drew to a close, the crowd breathed a sigh of relief after Sharjah were awarded a penalty, which professional player Caio Lucas successfully converted to equalize in the 80th minute. However, the joy was short-lived, as Nasaf dashed all hopes by scoring the decisive winning goal in the 87th minute through a rocket shot from Demir Abdunazarov that nestled into the top of the goal.

The tournament system and the future of the competition

With this result, Sharjah's points tally remained at 8, finishing in ninth place and outside the qualification spots, while Nasaf raised their points to 4, placing them eleventh and second to last. This match was part of the new format of the continental championship, where each team plays eight matches in the league stage, with the top eight clubs from each region (East and West) qualifying for the Round of 16.

The Round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place during March 2026, while Saudi Arabia will witness a major sporting event by hosting the final rounds (quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final) in a group format during next April, which is the event that Sharjah had hoped to be present in to represent Emirati football.

Al-Ittihad fans are anxiously awaiting the latest developments regarding the medical condition of French star Moussa Diaby and his availability for the highly anticipated match against Al-Hilal. This intense interest coincides with Al-Ittihad's preparations for the crucial encounter at the Kingdom Arena, a match that could prove decisive in the title race.

Private sources revealed to Al-Midan Al-Riyadi details of the treatment program currently being undergone by the player, confirming that Moussa Diaby has entered an intensive rehabilitation program that includes daily therapy sessions, in a race against time to be fit for the team's upcoming match against Al-Hilal in the Roshan Professional League. Medical sources indicated that initial estimates suggest the player's absence will be no less than seven days, casting serious doubt on his participation. However, the player's desire and determination may play a role in accelerating his return.

In a related development, Al-Ittihad's Portuguese coach, Sergio Conceição, excluded Diaby from the squad that recently faced Al-Sadd of Qatar as a precautionary measure due to an injury that prevented him from being fully fit. Al-Ittihad's coaching staff is working to have all their key players ready for the upcoming derby match, given Diaby's technical ability and significant impact on the attack.

The importance of the derby and the impact of absences
: The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Hilal match takes on strategic importance that transcends being merely a three-point game; it represents the "Saudi football derby," which enjoys widespread popularity across the Arab and Asian football scenes. This match comes at a crucial juncture in the competition, as each team seeks to assert its dominance and strengthen its position in the standings, making the absence of any key player a significant blow to the coaches' plans.

Moussa Diaby is considered one of Al-Ittihad's key players this season, with coach Conceição relying on him to orchestrate quick counter-attacks and exploit the spaces behind the opposition's defenders. The absence of a player of his caliber in a match as crucial as the Al-Hilal game could force tactical changes to the team's style of play, especially given the formidable attacking prowess of their opponents.

Al-Ittihad fans hope that the medical efforts will succeed in preparing the player, as Diaby has expressed a strong desire to be present and participate normally to help his teammates in this crucial match, pending the final decision that will be issued by the medical staff a few hours before the match.

Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição, manager of the Saudi Al-Ittihad football club, confirmed his team's complete readiness for the upcoming match against Qatari side Al-Sadd. Al-Ittihad will be a formidable opponent for Al-Sadd in the Qatari capital, Doha, in the eighth round of the AFC Champions League group stage, with the match to be held at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.

In the pre-match press conference, Conceição delivered a clear message reflecting the team's winning mentality, stating: "We are here in Doha with one goal only: to defeat Al Sadd. My philosophy is clear; I make no distinction between substitutes and starters. Everyone is equal, and we all represent one group striving to achieve the club's objectives." These statements underscore the collective spirit the Portuguese coach is trying to instill in the Tigers, overcoming any challenges related to absences or individual players, and focusing on the group present on the field.

Conceição also spoke about the special technical confrontation that brings him together with the Al Sadd coach, saying: “Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini is a friend of mine, and we have played together in European stadiums before, but in football friendships end at the starting whistle. I always wish him the best, but not in front of me tomorrow, as I will strive with all my might to snatch the three points.”.

This match is of paramount importance in the context of continental competition, as Al-Ittihad seeks to continue its recent run of positive results in both the Saudi Professional League and the AFC Champions League. The two-time Asian champions aim to confirm their strong return to continental prominence and secure qualification in a high position, giving them an advantage in the upcoming knockout stages.

Historically, matches between Saudi and Qatari clubs have always been highly competitive and exciting. The Al-Ittihad vs. Al-Sadd match is considered a Gulf classic with an Asian flavor, given the rich history and large fan base of both teams. This edition of the AFC Champions League, with its new format, has intensified the competition, as each team strives to accumulate as many points as possible in the group stage to secure a place among Asia's elite.

Al-Ittihad enters the match in a state of technical stability, supported by a squad of local and foreign stars. The coaching staff hopes to take advantage of the players’ high morale to return to Jeddah with a positive result that will enhance the team’s chances of competing for the continental title, which has been absent from the club’s trophy cabinet for years.