LATEST NEWS - UAE FA

R16: Late resurgence takes Shabab Al Ahli through

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

R16: Late resurgence takes Shabab Al Ahli through

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Wednesday as Paulo Sousa’s side survived a second half fightback by Al Wehdat to win 4-3 in Dubai to complete a 6-3 aggregate victory over the Jordanians.

Sardar Azmoun scored twice and also missed a penalty in a dramatic clash at Rashid Stadium as the club from the United Arab Emirates saw their 2-0 advantage from the first leg evaporate over three second minutes before a late resurgence took them through.

We showed our quality, says Sharjah's Olaroiu

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

We showed our quality, says Sharjah's Olaroiu

Sharjah: Cosmin Olaroiu praised the focus and determination of his players after Sharjah FC defeated Al Hussein on penalties to advance to the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

UAE's Sharjah, having won the first leg 1-0, started as favourites on home ground but were undone by Mahmoud Al Mardi's goal as the tie went into a shootout at the end of 120 minutes.

Olaroiu, however, believed Sharjah came to the fore when it mattered the most.

MD8: Al Wasl FC (UAE) 0-2 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

MD8: Al Wasl FC (UAE) 0-2 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Dubai: Saudi Pro League champions Al Hilal secured top spot in the western league standings in the AFC Champions League Elite™ on Tuesday as Jorge Jesus’ side handed Al Wasl a 2-0 defeat in Dubai to maintain their unbeaten record in the 2024/25 competition.

Marcos Leonardo gave the visitors the lead in the 13th minute and Salem Al Dawsari added the second four minutes into the second half as the former continental champions climbed above compatriots Al Ahli to reclaim top spot.

The result means the Riyadh-based side will face Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in the last 16 while Al Wasl, who had also already secured their place in the next round, will take on Qatar’s Al Sadd next month.

R16: Sharjah advance after shootout triumph

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

R16: Sharjah advance after shootout triumph

Sharjah: UAE’s Sharjah FC advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 with a 3-0 penalty shootout win against Al Hussein of Jordan on Tuesday.

Mahmoud Al Mardi scored in the first half for Al Hussein to make it 1-1 on aggregate and it went all the way with Sharjah goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani saving three spot-kicks to take his side through to the next stage.

Sharjah’s opponents in the last eight will be the winners of the Al Wakrah and Al Taawoun tie.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 2 v 0 Al Wehdat (JOR)

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 2 v 0 Al Wehdat (JOR)

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli will tread with caution despite holding a two-goal advantage when they welcome Al Wehdat to the Rashid Stadium for their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 second leg tie on Wednesday.

Sardar Azmoun's brace secured Shabab Al Ahli a healthy advantage and they will be determined to get the job done, which will set up a quarter-final against either Jordan's Al Hussein or fellow UAE side Sharjah FC.

MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) 2-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) 2-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Baghdad: Al Ain’s defence of their continental crown fizzled out in Baghdad on Monday as the side from the United Arab Emirates slipped to a 2-0 loss against Iraq’s Al Shorta to end their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign at the bottom of the western league standings.

Mahmoud Al Mawas scored five minutes into the second half for the hosts before Lucas nodded in a late second to cap a miserable tournament for the two-times Asian champions, who completed their eight group stage matches with two points.

Al Shorta’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 had already been extinguished ahead of kick off due to Pakhtakor’s victory over Al Sadd earlier in the day but Mohamed Semida’s team salvaged some pride with a first win in the competition moving them onto six points.

Preview - MD8: Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Dubai: Al Wasl FC will be out to prove themselves when they welcome Al Hilal SFC to the Zabeel Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Both teams have already qualified for the knockout stage with Al Hilal top of the standings and Al Wasl fifth.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 1 v 0 Al Hussein (JOR)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 1 v 0 Al Hussein (JOR)

Sharjah: Al Hussein FC have to hit the ground running if they are to upstage UAE's Sharjah FC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Tuesday.

Sharjah hold a 1-0 advantage and will be confident of finishing the job, with either Jordan's Al Wehdat or Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE to meet the winners of this tie in the quarter-finals.

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad take firm grip on Saudi Arabia title race

Mon, 17 Feb, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad take firm grip on Saudi Arabia title race

Doha: Karim Benzema was the star as Al Ittihad opened a four-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

In Oman, Al Seeb will meet Al Shabab in the final of the Sultan Qaboos Cup while there were also matches in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon.

The-AFC.com takes a look at how the domestic action unfolded across West Asia this past week.

Preview - MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Baghdad: Al Shorta will attempt to keep their faint hopes alive when they welcome Al Ain FC for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Monday.

Iraq's Al Shorta are on three points and even a win against Al Ain will likely prove not to be enough with the teams above them in much better positions.

R16, 1st Leg: Al Wehdat (JOR) 0-2 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

R16, 1st Leg: Al Wehdat (JOR) 0-2 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Amman: Shabab Al Ahli turned on the power in the second half to defeat Al Wehdat 2-0 in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie at the Amman International Stadium on Wednesday.

Sardar Azmoun scored both goals to give Shabab Al Ahli a comfortable advantage to take home, with the sides to meet again on February 19. 

Olaroiu cautions Sharjah against complacency

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Olaroiu cautions Sharjah against complacency

Amman: Cosmin Olaroiu was quick to caution his Sharjah FC players against complacency after they edged Al Hussein Club 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Caio Lucas’ first half strike gave Sharjah a slight edge going into the return leg with Olaroiu expecting a tough 90 minutes in a week’s time.