Al Jazira claimed a decisive 2-0 victory over Sharjah at Sharjah Stadium during the second matchweek of the Pro League. The result was largely driven by Vinicius Mello, who provided both goals to secure all three points for the visitors.
Mello broke the deadlock in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, converting a precise delivery from Felicio Mendes. Prior to the goal, both sides had opportunities; Mello narrowly missed an overhead kick in the 17th minute, and Marcus Vinicius sent a header over the bar in the 29th minute. Sharjah’s Laba Kodjo also tested the Al Jazira defense in the 38th minute, but goalkeeper Ersin Eestanoglu made a comfortable save.
After the interval, Al Jazira maintained their pressure. Mello doubled the lead in the 63rd minute after linking up with Mendes to complete his brace. Although Sharjah attempted to rally, a 75th-minute header from Cheickna Doumbia went wide, and a late effort from Kodjo was cleared off the line by Willian Rocha, preserving the clean sheet for Al Jazira.
In other league developments, the draw for the 2026-27 Gulf Champions League has been finalized, with 12 clubs participating in the expanded format. Al Nasr and Ajman are set to represent the Pro League in this regional tournament.
Ajman has been placed in Group C alongside Al Ettifaq from Saudi Arabia, Iraq’s Erbil, and Kuwait’s Kazma. Al Nasr will compete in Group B against Qatar SC, Al Zawraa of Iraq, and Bahrain’s Al Riffa. Group A consists of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, Al Duhail from Qatar, Oman’s Al Shabab, and Yemen’s Shaab Hadramout.
The competition is scheduled to run from October 13, 2026, through February 17, 2027, with the final slated for late April 2027. The top two finishers from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere in the Pro League, United achieved a historic milestone by securing their first-ever victory in the competition, defeating Bani Yas 3-2 on Sunday. This win marked United’s first three points of their debut season, while Bani Yas remains winless after two matches.
United took an early lead when Willy Semedo converted a penalty in the third minute. M. Name extended the advantage to 2-0 in the 57th minute, setting the stage for their eventual narrow win in a high-scoring encounter. The report also notes that finishing a precise cross from Felicio Mendes, al Jazira went into the break with a 1-0 lead after Mello opened the scoring in the second minute of first-half stoppage time. The report also notes that mello combined brilliantly with Mendes before finding the net to complete his brace and put the visitors firmly in control. The report also notes that but Willian Rocha produced a crucial goal-line clearance to deny him and preserve Al Jazira’s two-goal advantage, the hosts came even closer five minutes later when Laba Kodjo threatened to reduce the deficit. The report also notes that al Jazira remained composed in the closing stages and held on to secure an important 2-0 victory. The report also notes that an increase from eight in the previous format, the 2026-27 edition will feature 12 clubs.
