League Play-Off

Stoke-on-Trent Park
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Harborne's Khalaf Al Rodhan started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. The supporters of Harborne booed when Stoke-on-Trent was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Adem Al Bloshi didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 5th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Khalaf Al Rodhan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 11th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dawood Kakoli made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Khalaf Al Rodhan in the 18th minute of play. Khalaf Al Rodhan sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 26thth minute of the game Khalaf Al Rodhan who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Stoke-on-Trent's Dawood Kakoli was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. After a rather tough play, Stoke-on-Trent's Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed got a free kick in the 27th minute. 36 minutes into the match, Younis Al Naqi had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Dawood Kakoli. Stoke-on-Trent's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Younis Al Naqi was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 0-2. If Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-3 lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Younis Al Naqi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 57th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dawood Kakoli showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Khalaf Al Rodhan in the 61st minute of the match. Dawood Kakoli took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Khalaf Al Rodhan, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The supporters of Harborne booed when Stoke-on-Trent was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 65 match minutes in a wonderful position. Saher Al Mosawe didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Khalaf Al Rodhan in the 67th minute of play forced Stoke-on-Trent's goalkeeper Dawood Kakoli to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 70th minute Shehab Al Rifaee shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Firas Al Attar saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 72 minutes into the match, Harborne's goal looked a bit too open when Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed came free, but Firas Al Attar reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed's late challenge caught a Harborne's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed helped the player get up and apologised. Abdul Mohsen Al Mahmed hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. If Khalaf Al Rodhan had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 75th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. After having played for 80 minutes, Khalaf Al Rodhan managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Harborne's supporters crossed their fingers, but Khalaf Al Rodhan was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Shehab Al Rifaee fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 83rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Firas Al Attar having to interfere. If Younis Al Naqi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Khalaf Al Rodhan struck a weak shot in the 89th minute. Dawood Kakoli didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Harborne. After having played for 93 minutes, Khalaf Al Rodhan managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Harborne's supporters crossed their fingers, but Khalaf Al Rodhan was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Stoke-on-Trent's Dawood Kakoli proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 94th minute of the match, managed to save Stoke-on-Trent from getting a goal against them. Harborne's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.