Sharjah kicked off its campaign in the Adnoc Pro League by defeating Shabab Al Ahly 2-0 on Saturday at Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
Luan Pereira opened the scoring early in the game, before Portuguese striker Francisco Alcacer sealed the score in overtime.
Ousmane Camara opened the scoring by running from the right and sending a low cross to the Brazilian midfielder, who opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a twisted shot from the first line.
Camara scored the net in the 17th minute, but the goal was disallowed after the video assistant referee (VAR) sent off the Guinea striker for offside.
Shabab Al-Ahly had the opportunity to equalize with Azizgon Janiev approaching with a free kick. The Uzbek midfielder’s attempt hit the crossbar after a good attempt by Sharjah goalkeeper Mohammed Darwish in the first half.
Al-Kasir concluded last season’s runner-up match after Ibrahim Al-Dhanhani sent a cross to Camara, and the Guinean goalkeeper Hassan Hamza Ali to serve the Portuguese, who shot in Khali’s goal.
In the other evening matches, Ali Mabkhout scored two goals in Al Jazira’s 2-0 victory over Dibba Al-Asad at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, while Al Dhafra Al Nasr tied 1-1 at Hamdan bin Zayed Stadium.
Mabkhout found the net through Florin Tanasi’s pass in the 11th minute and doubled the lead with a penalty kick in the 27th minute.
In Al Dhafra, Khaled Al Darmaki broke the scoring to put the hosts ahead in the 63rd minute, but their joy did not last long as Dembo Derbo equalized after nine minutes.
