Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Outgoing head coach Cosmin Olaroiu wants Sharjah to build on their Asian Champions League Two triumph, with the Romanian saying he firmly believes the future is bright for the club.
Once one of the most successful clubs for the UAE domestically, Sharjah lifted their first major continental trophy after edging Singapore's Lion City Sailors 2-1 in a closely contested final on Sunday.
The decider looked to be heading for extra-time when Lion City's Maxime Lestienne cancelled out Firas Ben Arbi's 74th-minute goal, but Marcus Meloni struck in the 97th minute to ensure Sharjah gave Olaroiu the perfect send-off, with the tactician to take charge of the UAE national team.
"I am very proud and feel immense happiness. This is a feeling all those who contributed to this triumph should feel. This is for everyone, not only for Sharjah but for the entire Emirates.
"The players did a fantastic job and it is only fitting that they finished with the trophy," said Olaroiu, who was not only given the honour of lifting the trophy but also was the 'victim' of his press conference being ambushed by his celebrating players.
The Sharjah players took a leaf out of the books of Al Ain, whom they emulate in ascending to the main draw in the Asian Champions League. When Al Ain won the ACL last year – the second time for the inaugural champions – the players barged into the press conference of Hernan Crespo.
On Sunday, Olariou was given the same treatment, but also as the players' way of showing affection and bidding farewell to the coach who has spent a decade coaching Al Ain and Shabab Al Ahli before reviving Sharjah when he took over in 2021.
In charge for almost four seasons, Olaroiu was responsible for a golden period in the club's history. "In my time here, we qualified for eight finals and won five of them. I leave with wonderful memories and I thank the club for the faith they had in me. There was a period this season when we had to make sacrifices and prioritise. We did that in the league when we saw that Shabab Al Ahli were already too far ahead of us.
"We also had to prioritise the players as there was a period where we had to play eight games in 27 days. It was not possible, and we had to rotate the squad and the results went against us. However, it was all worth it as our target was winning this trophy."
Olaroiu said Sunday's victory should be the first of many continental triumphs for Sharjah. "I hope this is a new beginning for Sharjah. They have to build a new team, have a new mentality. We have enjoyed much success, but there should be more ahead."
It will not be entirely different for the Romanian who has to navigate two tricky group matches for the UAE in the Road to the 2026 World Cup's Asian qualifying path. The UAE are placed third and must fight hard if they want to secure the two automatic berths into the Finals for each group's toppers.
There will be some continuity there for Olaroiu as five of his Sharjah players are in the national squad, including Caio Lucas, who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Asian Football Confederation President, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, congratulated Sharjah for their title-winning effort at a capacity-filled Bishan Stadium.
"On behalf of the entire Asian football community, I extend my warmest congratulations to Sharjah on this remarkable achievement," Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim said.
"Their outstanding campaign, as well as Lion City Sailors FC's commendable performances, underscore the vibrant domestic football ecosystems cultivated by the Football Association of Singapore and the UAE Football Association, which have been instrumental in this success."
