League Play-Off

Gahanna Stadium
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Abd al-Asis Merzekane took the kick off in the first half of the match. Ahmed Adjani made an important save on a dangerous shot by Fodil Hamdoud in the 10th minute. Fathi Bouazza charged in rather forcefully in the 12th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Fathi Bouazza the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 12th minute, Fathi Bouazza hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Pleasant Grove's Abd al-Asis Merzekane in the 13th minute got a chance for a shot 13th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Gahanna's goalie prevented a goal. Ahmed Adjani stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Rachid Benbitour's shot from short distance in the 15th minute. Abd al-Asis Merzekane sent away a hard shot on goal in the 17th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The audience was convinced that Abd al-Asis Merzekane's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Zīn ud-Dīn Assad was relentless in the 20th minute of the game. Ahmed Adjani didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 23rd minute, which inside left pole to 1-0. 27 minutes into the game, Rachid Benbitour recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Ahmed Adjani. Rachid Benbitour showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-0. In the 30th minute, Said Bentifour hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After a rather tough play, Gahanna's Fathi Bouazza got a free kick in the 33rd minute. Cheb Medjoudj, 33 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. When Ben Maroc fell near the penalty area in the 44th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Pleasant Grove's protests and gave Ben Maroc a yellow card for diving instead. Ben Maroc hit a great freekick 44 minutes into the match. Ahmed Adjani made an important save on a dangerous shot by Fodil Hamdoud in the 46th minute. When El Kraouche came up free with the goalie in the 47th minute, the Pleasant Grove 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 El Kraouche couldn't finish the play.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Fodil Hamdoud made a kick off. When Ben Maroc was, once again, overly rough in his play he received his second yellow card and was ordered off the ground. 53 minutes had been played. A collision led to Pleasant Grove getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Ben Maroc hit a great ball. Rachid Benbitour's late challenge caught a Pleasant Grove's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Rachid Benbitour helped the player get up and apologised. In the 59th minute of the match Cheb Medjoudj shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Zīn ud-Dīn Assad showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. El Kraouches short, quick shot in the 60thth minute got Zīn ud-Dīn Assad to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. El Kraouche sent away a hard shot on goal in the 65th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Fodil Hamdoud in the 69th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Ahmed Adjani saved Pleasant Grove from getting behind. El Kraouche sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. 74 minutes into the match, Gahanna's goalkeeper Zīn ud-Dīn Assad had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by El Kraouche. Gahanna's Zīn ud-Dīn Assad proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 75th minute of the match, managed to save Gahanna from getting a goal against them. El Kraouche fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 90th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Zīn ud-Dīn Assad having to interfere. Fodil Hamdoud scored 3-2 in the 95th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Ahmed Adjani, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Gahanna's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.