League Play-Off

Damascus
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Damascus's Abdellah El-Hadi 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. 10 minutes into the match, FC Barcelona's Mustapha Zarabi sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Reda Hamrouche narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Farès Hamdani kicked well hit freekick during the 14th minute of the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Noureddine Bentaala in the 15th minute of play forced Damascus's goalkeeper Reda Hamrouche to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After some careless play in the FC Barcelona defense, Belaid Aliche kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Hemza Aribi. The FC Barcelona fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Hemza Aribi should have stopped the shot. After 20 minutes of play, FC Barcelona's Mustapha Zarabi made it 2-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Reda Hamrouche was left in no man's land by his defense there! Reda Hamrouche showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Mustapha Zarabi, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. After a rather tough play, FC Barcelona's Rachid Ibrir got a free kick in the 35th minute. Hemza Aribi was in exellent shape and made a fantastic save when he, in the 35th minute of the match, managed to get hold of the ball after a long shot from Anther Madouni. 37 minutes into the match, FC Barcelona's goal looked a bit too open when Abdellah El-Hadi came free, but Hemza Aribi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. A collision led to FC Barcelona getting a freekick after 38 minutes play. Samir Aarache hit a great ball. Mustapha Zarabi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Hemza Aribi made an important save on a dangerous shot by Mohamed Hima in the 43rd minute. Hemza Aribi didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Belaid Aliche went, in the 47th minute, to the upper right corner, 3-2 was the resulting score. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 3-2.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Mustapha Zarabi to strike the kick off in the second half. If Mustapha Zarabi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 53rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mebarek Megharia shot from long distance in the 56th minute, but Reda Hamrouche was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. Djamel El-Hadi hit a great freekick 57 minutes into the match. Mustapha Zarabi could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 62nd minute of the match, but Reda Hamrouche made a huge save. In the 64thth minute of the game El Mohand who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Damascus's Reda Hamrouche was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 70th minute, Damascus's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Noureddine Bentaala fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. The supporters of FC Barcelona booed when Damascus was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 71 match minutes in a wonderful position. Hamza Badis didn't get a good kick on the ball. Farès Hamdani kicked well hit freekick during the 75th minute of the match. The audience thought a goal was coming when Noureddine Bentaala got free with Reda Hamrouche in the 79th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Reda Hamrouche didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Noureddine Bentaala went, in the 82nd minute, to the upper right corner, 3-3 was the resulting score. If Noureddine Bentaala had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 87th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Reda Hamrouche made an important save on a dangerous shot by Noureddine Bentaala in the 92nd minute. Reda Hamrouche made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mustapha Zarabi in the 95th minute of play. FC Barcelona's fans were overjoyed with their teams well-earned victory and stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to celebrate the win.