League Play-Off

Texas City
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Texas City AFC's Rabah Merbah 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. After 4 minutes, Daniel Brahmi mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Saugus FC and the Texas City AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. Daniel Brahmi kicked well hit freekick during the 5th minute of the match. Texas City AFC's Rabah Merbah got a good chance for a goal in the 6th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Hachemi Nabil sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Camel Zarabi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Hachemi Nabil in the 10th minute of play. After 14 minutes of play, Saugus FC's François Boulahfane made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Camel Zarabi was left in no man's land by his defense there! Mourad Moussa kicked well hit freekick during the 25th minute of the match. After 27 played minutes, Texas City AFC's Halim Said shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Cheb Diss came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Texas City AFC reached it. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Rabah Merbah in the 28th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Cheb Diss prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Texas City AFC's Camel Zarabi played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by François Boulahfane in the 32nd minute of play. Camel Zarabi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from François Boulahfane, who was totally free with the ball in the 33rd minute. 37 minutes into the match, Texas City AFC's Rabah Merbah sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Cheb Diss narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After the first half Saugus FC were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell François Boulahfane to make the kick off. 52 minutes into the match, Saugus FC's goal looked a bit too open when Madhi Hima came free, but Cheb Diss reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. François Boulahfane recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 56th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. François Boulahfane was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 57th minute. Saugus FC's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. Cheb Diss made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Rabah Merbah in the 64th minute of play. If Rabah Merbah had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 67th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 69th minute, Madhi Hima 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. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Nasreddine Méniri during the 71st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 72nd match minute, Saugus FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nasreddine Méniri to maneuver through the defense. With a little luck, Texas City AFC's Camel Zarabi got control of the ball when Hachemi Nabil tried to sneak it across the goal line. Camel Zarabi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from François Boulahfane in the 85th minute of play. Hachemi Nabil could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 92nd minute of the match, but Camel Zarabi made a huge save. In the 95th minute, Madhi Hima 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. Saugus FC's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.