League Play-Off

JR ESPINOZA
Spectators: 39 (Terracing: 30, Seating: 9, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Ludomir Grucza got the match started through his kick off. Manos Karelas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jean-Baptiste Azem, who was totally free with the ball in the 4th minute. The Abu Dhabi United fans' excitement grew in the 4th match minute when Abu Dhabi United's Jean-Baptiste Azem looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Jean-Baptiste Azem in the 11th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Manos Karelas saved Garfield Dream Team from getting behind. Manos Karelas showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jean-Baptiste Azem, who was totally free with the ball in the 16th minute. Fodil Abbas fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 20th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Manos Karelas having to interfere. The supporters of Abu Dhabi United booed when Garfield Dream Team was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 22 match minutes in a wonderful position. Yazid Amara didn't get a good kick on the ball. Mohamed Mezair's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Manos Karelas read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 26th minute of play. Manos Karelas came out of the goal in the 32nd minute to try and stop a shot by Abu Dhabi United's Jean-Baptiste Azem. But to his dismay, Jean-Baptiste Azem quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-2. Manos Karelas showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Fodil Abbas in the 35th minute of the match. A collision led to Garfield Dream Team getting a freekick after 39 minutes play. Lakhdar Benhamou hit a great ball. Manos Karelas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jean-Baptiste Azem, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Jean-Baptiste Azem in the 45th minute of play forced Garfield Dream Team's goalkeeper Manos Karelas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Garfield Dream Team players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Abu Dhabi United were winning 0-2.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Jean-Baptiste Azem to make the kick off. Jean-Baptiste Azem received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Manos Karelas tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mohamed Mezair struck a weak shot in the 56th minute. Manos Karelas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Abu Dhabi United. An unexpectedly hard shot by Khair ad-Din Brahimi in the 65th minute of play forced Garfield Dream Team's goalkeeper Manos Karelas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some careless play in the Garfield Dream Team defense, Fodil Abbas kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Manos Karelas. The Garfield Dream Team fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Manos Karelas should have stopped the shot. Khair ad-Din Brahimi struck a weak shot in the 78th minute. Manos Karelas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Abu Dhabi United. In the 79th match minute, Garfield Dream Team was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Assia Kaci Said to maneuver through the defense. 85 minutes into the match, Garfield Dream Team's goalkeeper Manos Karelas had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Jean-Baptiste Azem. Daho Medjoudj sent away a hard shot on goal in the 88th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance.