League Play-Off

Ryde Stadium
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Hussain Al Sharah got the match started through his kick off. In the 5th minute Meshari Al Arbash shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bassam Al Mehana saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 7th minute, Sadeq Shadad 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. 11 minutes into the match, Stratford-upon-Avon FC's goalkeeper Zaher Al Mulaifi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Sadeq Shadad. 13 minutes into the game, Sadeq Shadad cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Zaher Al Mulaifi was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Ryde's Bassam Al Mehana played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Meshari Al Arbash in the 18th minute of play. After having played for 18 minutes, Hussain Al Sharah managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Stratford-upon-Avon FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Hussain Al Sharah was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 21st minute Hussain Al Sharah shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Bassam Al Mehana saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Meshari Al Arbash scored 1-1 in the 25th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Bassam Al Mehana, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. A collision led to Stratford-upon-Avon FC getting a freekick after 28 minutes play. Hussain Dehrab hit a great ball. Stratford-upon-Avon FC's Zaher Al Mulaifi proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 29th minute of the match, managed to save Stratford-upon-Avon FC from getting a goal against them. In the 34th match minute, Stratford-upon-Avon FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hussain Dehrab to maneuver through the defense. When Meshari Al Arbash came up free with the goalie in the 40th minute, the Stratford-upon-Avon FC 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 Meshari Al Arbash couldn't finish the play. After some fancy dribbling in the 44th minute, Hussain Al Sharah managed to get in a good position for a shot. Stratford-upon-Avon FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Hussain Al Sharah was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Bassam Al Mehana breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Qutada Al Khobaize stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. After a rather tough play, Ryde's Othman Al Mansor got a free kick in the 60th minute. Hussain Dehrab's late challenge caught a Ryde's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Hussain Dehrab helped the player get up and apologised. In the 67th minute, Hussain Dehrab hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Rashed Al Dabos was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 68th played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. If Sadeq Shadad had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 76 minutes, Hussain Al Sharah mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Stratford-upon-Avon FC and the Ryde players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 76th match minute, Stratford-upon-Avon FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hussain Al Sharah to maneuver through the defense. Zaher Al Mulaifi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Sadeq Shadad, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Qutada Al Khobaize sent away a hard shot on goal in the 89th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. When the referee blew the final whistle, you could see the dissatisfaction in the Ryde players' eyes. They were disappointed they hadn't taken more from the game.