League

Durham
Spectators: 7000 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 2000, VIP seats: 0) COT's Riadh El Naili 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. 4 minutes into the match, COT's goalkeeper Jaouhar Ghannem had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Mohamed Kerrit. Karim Bourguiba made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Riadh El Naili in the 7th minute of play. If Riadh El Naili had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 17th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Riadh El Naili in the 22nd minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Karim Bourguiba prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After some careless play in the Durham defense, Christian Corelli kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Karim Bourguiba. The Durham fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Karim Bourguiba should have stopped the shot. In the 26th minute of the match, Mohamed Kerrit got a very nice opportunity to score, but Jaouhar Ghannem was well-placed and pushed the ball away from the goal at the left post. Mohamed Kerrit succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-1 in the 30th playminute. After a rather tough play, Durham's Anis Baya got a free kick in the 37th minute. Riadh El Naili sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Riadh El Naili fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Karim Bourguiba having to interfere. 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.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Férid Ben Mokadem was the one to do the kick off. Cleto Tipi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 52nd minute. Karim Bourguiba tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 53rd match minute, Durham was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Karim Nafti to maneuver through the defense. When the match had gone on for 57 minutes, Riadh El Naili put it in 1-2 from a short distance just to the right of Karim Bourguiba. Kameleddine Jaballah sent away a hard shot on goal in the 61st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 64 minutes into the game, Riadh El Naili lined in a short shot 1-3 behind a frustrated Karim Bourguiba. After some fancy dribbling in the 69th minute, Riadh El Naili managed to get in a good position for a shot. COT's supporters rose to their feet, but Riadh El Naili was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Karim Bourguiba breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. 72 minutes into the match, Durham's goalkeeper Karim Bourguiba had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Riadh El Naili. Rashid Belhouane kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. Christian Corelli could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 77th minute of the match, but Karim Bourguiba made a huge save. Christian Corelli fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 81st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Karim Bourguiba having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Fakhreddine Jaziri during the 85th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 85th minute, Fakhreddine Jaziri hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Riadh El Naili in the 89th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Karim Bourguiba saved Durham from getting behind. In the 90th match minute, COT was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Habib Ali El Hadrioui to maneuver through the defense. COT played a much better game than Durham and deserved their victory. The Durham players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.