Baniyas Club delivered a heroic performance on Thursday night, defeating Sharjah 2-1 away from home in a rescheduled fixture from Matchweek 20 of the ADNOC Pro League. The victory, achieved despite playing with ten men for over 75 minutes, showcased the team’s resilience, tactical discipline, and fighting spirit.

The match, held at Sharjah Stadium on May 1, saw an early setback for the Sky Blues as midfielder Fawaz Awana was shown a red card in the 14th minute. Undeterred by the numerical disadvantage, Baniyas responded with determination and composure.

Sail Samuel Souza opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a clinical finish following a swift attacking move. Just three minutes later, Youssouf Niakaté doubled the lead with a well-executed counter-attack, leaving Sharjah stunned.

Sharjah managed to pull one back in the 69th minute through Caio Lucas, but Baniyas’ defense, marshaled with great discipline and grit, held firm until the final whistle to secure all three points.

The result lifts Baniyas to 25 points, solidifying 10th place in the standings and significantly easing relegation concerns. Meanwhile, Sharjah remain at 45 points, with their title hopes dealt a major blow.

Head coach Daniel Isaila praised his squad, stating:
“Tonight’s performance was about character and unity. Playing nearly the entire match with ten men and still coming out on top is a testament to the players’ belief, discipline, and the collective strength of this team.”