League Play-Off

Central Gardens Stad
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Central Gardens AFC's Boubekeur Bellemou Messaoud 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. Ismaël Moussa stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Mahmoud Boutella's shot from short distance in the 3rd minute. Ismaël Moussa took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Abdelhamid Harkouk, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Madjid Kourichi struck a weak shot in the 16th minute. Hakim Bitat didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Central Gardens AFC. Mansour Ouadah received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Hakim Bitat tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Boubekeur Bellemou Messaoud received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 29th minute. Hakim Bitat tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Thornwood's Hakim Bitat played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Boubekeur Bellemou Messaoud in the 31st minute of play. In the 38th minute Mahmoud Boutella shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ismaël Moussa saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Central Gardens AFC's Ismaël Moussa played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Abdelhamid Harkouk in the 43rd minute of play. Mansour Ouadah who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 45thth minute tested the skills of Hakim Bitat when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Abdelhamid Harkouk to strike the kick off in the second half. If Abdelhamid Harkouk had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Central Gardens AFC's Boubekeur Bellemou Messaoud got a good chance for a goal in the 60th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 63 minutes into the match, Thornwood's goal looked a bit too open when Boubekeur Bellemou Messaoud came free, but Hakim Bitat reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mahmoud Boutella recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 64th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 68th match minute, Thornwood was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lounès Djenia Lkbira to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 70 minutes, Mansour Ouadah managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Central Gardens AFC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Mansour Ouadah was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Mansour Ouadah received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Hakim Bitat tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Boubekeur Bellemou Messaoud fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 73rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hakim Bitat having to interfere. 78 minutes into the game, Cheb Schoonmaker was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Central Gardens AFC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Thornwood the free kick. 81 minutes had been played when some careless play by Central Gardens AFC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Ismaïl Zarabi was slow to take the kick. During this time Thornwood's players had a chance to rest. 82 minutes into the game, Brahim Bougherra was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Thornwood's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Central Gardens AFC the free kick. In the 82nd match minute, Thornwood was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Brahim Bougherra to maneuver through the defense. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mahmoud Oussalah in the 88th minute of play forced Central Gardens AFC's goalkeeper Ismaël Moussa to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The final whistle blew with the score still tied, and both teams left the pitch thinking about the missed chances that could have given their team the win.