Official Cup

Muswell Hill
Spectators: 207 (Terracing: 156, Seating: 47, VIP seats: 4) After a rather tough play, Al-Ahli's Jaber Al Ateqi got a free kick in the 3rd minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rashed Al Sharaf in the 6th minute of play forced Atletico Beirut's goalkeeper Ats Rattas to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 8 minutes into the game, Jaber Al Ateqi cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Ats Rattas was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Ats Rattas took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rashed Al Sharaf, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. After 14 played minutes Atletico Beirut got a freekick which was hit by Jabbar Abdul Majid. After 17 minutes, Basel Al Baghli mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Al-Ahli and the Atletico Beirut players grew even worse after the yellow card. After 23 played minutes Al-Ahli got a freekick which was hit by Faisal Al Sohali. After having played for 23 minutes, Diya Abou Zaki managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Atletico Beirut's supporters crossed their fingers, but Diya Abou Zaki was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Jaber Al Ateqi in the 27th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Ats Rattas prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Rashed Al Sharaf received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 33rd minute. Ats Rattas tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Younis Al Harban was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Jabbar Abdul Majid showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-1 in the 40 minute of play. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Diya Abou Zaki was the one to do the kick off. In the 51st match minute, Al-Ahli was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Faleh Al Saleh to maneuver through the defense. Shaban Al Motaire struck a weak shot in the 53rd minute. Ats Rattas didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Al-Ahli. After some fancy dribbling in the 59th minute, Faleh Al Saleh managed to get in a good position for a shot. Al-Ahli's supporters rose to their feet, but Faleh Al Saleh was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Ats Rattas breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Jaber Al Ateqi sent away a hard shot on goal in the 60th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Rashed Al Sharaf's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Ats Rattas read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 63rd minute of play. After 64 played minutes Al-Ahli got a freekick which was hit by Jaber Al Ateqi. Samir Faraj sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Diya Abou Zaki charged in rather forcefully in the 73rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Diya Abou Zaki the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Al-Ahli booed when Atletico Beirut was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 73 match minutes in a wonderful position. Diya Abou Zaki didn't get a good kick on the ball. 77 minutes into the match, Al-Ahli's goal looked a bit too open when Diya Abou Zaki came free, but Younis Al Harban reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Ebrahem Al Qatam hit a great freekick 79 minutes into the match. Faleh Al Saleh hit a great freekick 80 minutes into the match. Younis Al Harban showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Diya Abou Zaki, who was totally free with the ball in the 83rd minute. Atletico Beirut's Diya Abou Zaki got his second yellow card of the match in the 87th minute. The referee ordered Diya Abou Zaki off the ground. The supporters of Al-Ahli booed when Atletico Beirut was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Diya Abou Zaki didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jaber Al Ateqi could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Ats Rattas made a huge save. The supporters of Atletico Beirut booed when Al-Ahli was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 93 match minutes in a wonderful position. Faleh Al Saleh didn't get a good kick on the ball. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Al-Ahli eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.