Sharjah is counting on its passionate home fans to inspire a fiery comeback against Saudi rivals Al Taawoun in the second leg of the AFC Champions League Two semi-final on Tuesday. Trailing by just one goal after Abdelhamid Sabiri's early strike in the first leg, head coach Cosmin Olaroiu is optimistic that, with robust local support, his team can overturn the deficit—similar to the impressive turnout from Al Taawoun's fans in Buraidah during the first match.
The focus on me is heightened, as this game is a vital test even for my career as a seasoned manager. A rallying win will not only secure our spot in the final but also mark a marked resurgence for Sharjah since I took over in 2021. There’s also speculation about my potential role as the UAE national team manager.
Olaroiu might take over as UAE coach
Rumors suggest that terms have been informally agreed for Olaroiu to replace the recently sacked Paulo Bento as the UAE aims to redeem itself in the final stage of World Cup qualifying, starting this June. However, Olaroiu remained tight-lipped about the speculation. “No contract has been signed. Until something is finalized, it will not affect us or the players,” he stated during a press conference in Buraidah.
Olaroiu has already enjoyed considerable success with Al Sharjah, clinching the President’s Cup in both 2022 and 2023, along with the League Cup in 2023. His extensive managerial career includes high-profile clubs across the Middle East and a brief stint as Saudi Arabia’s national team coach from 2014 to 2015.
With five days to regroup and refocus, his squad fully rested is gearing up for this pivotal match. Conversely, Al Taawoun heads into the match after a 1-1 draw with Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League, which could affect their momentum.
Despite the different preparations, both coaches express confidence in their teams' chances.
In my opinion, we didn’t deserve to lose. It’s true we started poorly and were hesitant, but we created many chances that we couldn’t convert due to Al Taawoun’s excellent defense.
Sharjah's path to the semi-finals showcased their tenacity, highlighted by their quarter-final triumph over Shabab Al Ahli, which they won via a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout after a 2-2 aggregate draw. Goalkeeper Adel Alhosani emerged as the hero, saving a critical penalty to advance his team. Despite facing challenges in recent home victories, Sharjah remains determined.
For Olaroiu to validate his focused approach, his game plan must be effective, supported by both his squad and the critical ‘12th man’ - the supporters. “We’re still in the competition and will fight to advance to the final. While Al Taawoun's fans were an inspiring force, we’ll see the might of the Sharjah fans at home,” he expressed with hope.
We’ve only completed the first half, and we face a challenging match in Sharjah. We will strive for another positive result to reach the final. Our focus has been on restoring the team’s character, and in the second leg, Sharjah will push forward without hesitation, presenting us with opportunities to capitalize.
