League Play-Off

Hartford
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) HAYK's Mourad Saïdi-Sief 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. In the 2nd minute, Ferhat Abdenouz hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After having played for 16 minutes, Mourad Saïdi-Sief managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. HAYK's supporters crossed their fingers, but Mourad Saïdi-Sief was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Almir Neves in the 17th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ahmed Sadi saved Hartford FC from getting behind. Hamid Bitat made a fantastic save in the 18th minute, when Abdellah Hadjadj sent off a good shot on target. In the 20th match minute, Hartford FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nourredine Benaouf to maneuver through the defense. 21 minutes into the match, Hartford FC's goal looked a bit too open when Almir Neves came free, but Ahmed Sadi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. When Almir Neves came up free with the goalie in the 22nd minute, the HAYK fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Almir Neves couldn't finish the play. Ahmed Sadi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Hemza Skif, who was totally free with the ball in the 25th minute. 28 minutes into the game, Almir Neves cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Ahmed Sadi was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. The supporters of HAYK booed when Hartford FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 32 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nourredine Benaouf didn't get a good kick on the ball. If Almir Neves had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Almir Neves received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 40th minute. Ahmed Sadi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Hartford FC's Nourredine Benaouf got a free kick in the 46th minute. The Hartford FC players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. HAYK were winning 0-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Abdellah Hadjadj made a kick off. Ahmed Sadi made a fantastic save in the 53rd minute, when Mourad Saïdi-Sief sent off a good shot on target. In the 59th minute, Hartford FC's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Mourad Saïdi-Sief fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Hamid Bitat didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Abdellah Hadjadj went, in the 63rd minute, to the upper right corner, 1-1 was the resulting score. Almir Neves's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 66thth minute, Ahmed Sadi skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Ahmed Sadi made an important save on a dangerous shot by Almir Neves in the 69th minute. Ahmed Sadi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Mourad Saïdi-Sief, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Abdellah Hadjadj sent away a hard shot on goal in the 78th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Mourad Saïdi-Sief in the 80th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ahmed Sadi prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Karim Drioueche during the 81st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. If Almir Neves had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Mourad Saïdi-Sief in the 91st minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ahmed Sadi prevented the ball from getting in the gole.