League Play-Off

Tamarac
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Albert El-Kenz started the match with the kick off. Mohammed Gallaire sent away a hard shot on goal in the 4th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Belmadi Bilal's late challenge caught a Tamarac FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Belmadi Bilal helped the player get up and apologised. After 6 played minutes Santa Clara got a freekick which was hit by Belmadi Bilal. 12 minutes into the match, Tamarac FC's goal looked a bit too open when Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji came free, but Tayeb Hammad reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 14 minutes into the match, Tamarac FC's Albert El-Kenz sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Abdelhamid Benhamou narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Albert El-Kenz in the 19th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Abdelhamid Benhamou prevented the ball from getting in the gole. In the 25th minute Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tayeb Hammad saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Tayeb Hammad showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rachid Cherrad, who was totally free with the ball in the 26th minute. After 27 minutes, Lazhar Kouidri mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Santa Clara and the Tamarac FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 28th minute, Lazhar Kouidri hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Mohammed Gallaire sent away a hard shot on goal in the 30th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 36 minutes, Hamid Belhadj mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Tamarac FC and the Santa Clara players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Tamarac FC getting a freekick after 36 minutes play. Hamid Belhadj hit a great ball. In the 39th minute Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tayeb Hammad saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rachid Cherrad's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Tayeb Hammad read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 44th minute of play. After the first half the score was level. The break gave the players a chance to catch their breath, whilst the managers went over the tactics with them again.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji to make the kick off. Rachid Cherrad received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 51st minute. Tayeb Hammad tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 53rd minute, Rachid Cherrad managed to get in a good position for a shot. Santa Clara's supporters rose to their feet, but Rachid Cherrad was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tayeb Hammad breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Tayeb Hammad made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji in the 58th minute of play. When Santa Clara's Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji in the 60th minute got a chance for a shot 60th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Tamarac FC's goalie prevented a goal. In the 63rd minute Mohammed Gallaire shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Abdelhamid Benhamou saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rachid Cherrad's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 65thth minute, Tayeb Hammad skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. When the match clock showed 70 minutes, the score became 0-1 when Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji sped through Tamarac FC's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Tayeb Hammad. Abdelmalek Djebar kicked well hit freekick during the 82nd minute of the match. Rabah El-Hadi was probably a little too eager to shoot when he, in the 83rd played minute, shot the ball from way out. The shot was hard, but the ball flew wide of the goal. Mohammed Gallaire received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 88th minute. Abdelhamid Benhamou tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Tamarac FC booed when Santa Clara was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 89 match minutes in a wonderful position. Lazhar Kouidri didn't get a good kick on the ball. Tamarac FC's Tayeb Hammad proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 92nd minute of the match, managed to save Tamarac FC from getting a goal against them. Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Tayeb Hammad came out and tried to block the shot, but Mourad Cohen-Tannoudji slotted it home off the left post making it 0-2 in the 93rd minute. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Santa Clara walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.