Tractor Sazi Destroys Sharjah FC 5-0 in AFC Elite West: A Shocking West Region Showcase

Match Recap

Sharjah FC hosted Tractor Sazi Tabriz in a high‑stakes AFC Champions League Elite West clash, as both clubs chased momentum in the early phase of the 2025-26 campaign. The game started cautiously, but Tractor Sazi exploded into life after a spell of pressure and quick transitions that unsettled the home defense.

Loshkija struck twice in quick succession — at 8 and 11 minutes — to put the Iranians in control and silenced the hosts’ early hopes. The scoring belt continued when Mehdi Hashem Najad added a third and Daniel Ismailfar followed with a fourth in first‑half stoppage time, pushing Tractor Sazi firmly into the driver’s seat. Masoud Zair Kazemini then capped the rout with a fifth at 84 minutes, sealing a comprehensive 5-0 win.

Beiranvand started in goal for Tractor Sazi, while Sharjah lined up with Darwish Mohammed between the posts. Both sides pressed aggressively at different spells, but it was Tractor Sazi who found the cutting edge and converted chances with clinical efficiency, exposing gaps in Sharjah’s back line and a worrying lack of clinical finishing for the hosts.

Sharjah’s attempts to respond after the break were brave but ultimately fell short. The home side showed flashes of intent, forcing a few half‑chances, yet the Iranian defense remained compact and disciplined as Tractor protected their advantage and looked for more on the counter. The game finished 5-0, a stark reminder that in this competition, one moment of hesitation can be punished severely.

Implications and Next Steps

The victory lifts Tractor Sazi to 5 points in the standings after two draws and a win, while Sharjah sit on 4 after an opening win and a draw. The result complicates the group dynamics, with the quarterfinals still several rounds away but the pressure mounting on Sharjah’s Serbian coach Milos, who will need an immediate response from his players in the next matchdays.

The West region resumes on November 3-4 with a slate of fixtures including Nesa f vs. Al UAE units and others that will influence who advances to the Round of 16 in March 2026. The tournament’s knockout phase, including quarterfinals to the final, is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in April 2026.

Notable lineups

Sharjah’s starting XI featured Darwish Mohammed in goal, with a defensive line including Shahin Abdulrahman, Cho Yu Min, Marcus Miloni, and Vladimir Prijovic. Tractor Sazi lined up with Beiranvand in goal, a backline anchored by Khalil Zadeh and Nadri, and a dynamic attack that included ShCheragul and Hussein Zadeh, among others.

Punchline 1: If Sharjah’s defense is a fortress, Tractor just brought the trebuchet.
Punchline 2: Milos might need a new playbook—one that actually leads to a win, not just a lesson in existential defending.