League

Wizdom Arena
Spectators: 8406 (Terracing: 6305, Seating: 1933, VIP seats: 168) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Rachid Moussaoui got the match started through his kick off. After 11 minutes, Noureddine Cohen mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Merrionette and the 1860 Mangitilon FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jens-Ove Eliasson in the 14th minute of play forced 1860 Mangitilon FC's goalkeeper Belaid Bougherra to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After having played for 16 minutes, Rachid Yahia managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Merrionette's supporters crossed their fingers, but Rachid Yahia was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Rachid Moussaoui fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 19th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Cheb Meniri having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Noureddine Cohen in the 24th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Belaid Bougherra saved 1860 Mangitilon FC from getting behind. In the 31st minute, Rachid Moussaoui got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. 43 minutes into the match, Merrionette's Noureddine Cohen sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Belaid Bougherra narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Jens-Ove Eliasson was the one to do the kick off. Belaid Bougherra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Djabir Ghozali, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Tedj Kouri was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 59th minute. Merrionette's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Eskuin Izaguirre sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When Nordine Boulmerka fell near the penalty area in the 62nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored 1860 Mangitilon FC's protests and gave Nordine Boulmerka a yellow card for diving instead. Nordine Boulmerka kicked well hit freekick during the 62nd minute of the match. After 66 played minutes Merrionette got a freekick which was hit by Jens-Ove Eliasson. A collision led to Merrionette getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Eskuin Izaguirre hit a great ball. Belaid Bougherra took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Noureddine Cohen, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The throw-in from Chaba Yacef in the 79th minute of the game was unfortunally taken care of by Merrionette's Djabir Ghozali. The supporters of 1860 Mangitilon FC booed when Merrionette was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 82 match minutes in a wonderful position. Eskuin Izaguirre didn't get a good kick on the ball. Rachid Yahia fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Belaid Bougherra having to interfere. Merrionette's attentive Hocine Soltani managed to snatch the ball when Chaba Yacef made a throw-in in the 92nd minute of the game. 1860 Mangitilon FC's Belaid Bougherra played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Noureddine Cohen in the 94th minute of play.