Sharjah held a 2-0 lead at the break after Brazilian striker Anderson opened the scoring early before compatriot Jean Carlos doubled their advantage in the 34th minute. Mousa Hatab put the result beyond doubt when he netted a third 10 minutes after the break.

Sharjah got off to a great start when they broke the deadlock with just eleven minutes gone. Nawaf Mubarak delivered a free-kick from the right which fell to Anderson and he found the back of the net from inside the area.

The home side kept up the pressure and almost claimed a second goal after 32 minutes when Mubarak’s corner was headed goalwards by Iraqi defender Hussein Alaa but the ball was cleared off the line.

However Dempo’s respite was short-lived as two minutes later, Jean Carlos drove into the area and beat Samir Koda before despatching a shot past Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal.

Sharjah added a third goal after 55 minutes when Jean Carlos’ corner found its way to Hatab and he headed home to put the game beyond the reach of the Indian side.

Dempo almost pulled a goal back one minute later when Ranti Martins hit a first time volley from inside the box but his effort was saved by Sharjah goalkeeper Rashid Ahmed.

The Indian side tested Ahmed again after 59 minutes when Brazilian midfielder Beto struck a powerful free-kick but the Sharjah custodian was equal to the effort.

Beto had another chance one minute later but was denied from close range by Ahmed before Martins shot wide shortly afterwards.

Sharjah could have scored a fourth four minutes from time when striker Salem Saif found himself with only the keeper to beat but the substitute fired straight at Mondal.

The hosts had the final effort on target when Jean Carlos saw a decent strike from distance saved by Mondal as Sharjah booked their spot in Group B of Asia’s premier club competition.