Late Camara strike gives Sharjah victory over Al-Ahli in Asian Champions League

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli lost 1-0 to Sharjah FC from the United Arab Emirates in Jeddah on Monday as the Asian Champions League Elite title holders suffered a rare defeat in front of their own fans in the continental championship. Ousmane Camara’s 81st-minute strike handed Matthias Jaissle’s heavily rotated side their first loss in this season’s western league phase and the club’s first defeat in the competition since April 2021. Jaissle started with first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, midfielder Franck Kessie and England forward Ivan Toney on the bench and the champions were hit when Luanzinho released Camara to score the game’s only goal.