Desert Derby: Can Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Break Sharjah’s Grip in Dubai?
28 October 2025
Preview and Stakes
A heavyweight summit between Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Sharjah unfolds on Thursday evening at Rashid Stadium in Dubai, opening the seventh round of the ADNOC Pro League. Both teams seek to rebound and climb the table, with Shabab Al Ahli on 11 points in fifth place and Sharjah on seven in tenth.
They have met 30 times in the league, with Shabab Al Ahli leading the head-to-head by 15 wins to Sharjah’s six, and nine draws. Shabab Al Ahli have scored 41 goals to Sharjah’s 29, and Ahmed Khalil remains the fixture’s top scorer in the Pro League with six goals.
Across all competitions since professionalism began, Shabab Al Ahli have won 25 times against Sharjah’s seven, with 19 draws. This will be the seventh meeting between the teams in 2025 across all competitions; Sharjah has not won any of the six previous, as Shabab Al Ahli secured two wins and four draws. Shabab Al Ahli have not lost in their last five league meetings with Sharjah, registering two wins and three draws, and they have clashed five times in October 2025 alone.
Looking at 2025 overall, Shabab Al Ahli lead with 15 league wins, while Sharjah have nine. The match is framed as a crucial moment in the season and could tilt the balance for the campaign.
Coaches, Players, and Form
Paulo Sousa, the Shabab Al Ahli coach, stressed in the pre-match press conference that this is a big fixture requiring maximum concentration for the full 90 minutes, with everyone performing at their best individually and collectively.
He described Sharjah as a well-organized side with dangerous individual quality and recalled past clashes between the teams that were balanced and high level. Sousa urged that Shabab Al Ahli’s identity must appear in every game, driven by a hunger to win and an attacking ability capable of creating and converting chances while maintaining collective balance.
For Sharjah, coach Milos Milivojevic faces a delicate moment. The Serbian’s tenure has looked fragile this season, and a recent board restructuring means the incoming leadership will soon decide his fate. For now, Milos remains in charge, hoping a positive result can steady the ship.
Midfielder Matheus Lima, back from injury, underscored the importance of the match and urged fans to pack the Rashid Stadium to lift the players. He promised to give his all to delight the supporters and help the team push for a positive result.
The overall mood from both camps is clear: seize the moment, respect the opponent, and try to translate chances into points in a tough league mileau. The energy in the build-up suggests this could be a defining moment in a season that promises to be finely balanced.
Punchline Sniper 1: If focus were a weapon, Sousa would bring a full arsenal—no misses, just precise passes and a few perfectly timed jokes on the touchline.
Punchline Sniper 2: This game is so tight, the popcorn in the stands needs GPS to avoid a ref’s whistle and still end up in the back of the net by halftime.
