In a gripping cup final encounter held at the American University of Sharjah on 15 March 2025, RIT Dubai faced AUS in a tightly contested match that ended with a scoreline of 2-0 in favour of the opponents. The match kicked off at 9:30pm and unfolded over 70 minutes of intense football, with both teams showcasing their tactical prowess.
RIT Dubai lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, which featured Anandha Krishnan in goal, flanked by a defensive line of Omar Remawi and Aws Dashash as right and left defenders, respectively, while Husnain Khan and Artemii Graf held the central defensive positions. In midfield, Artur Farhutdinov and Mohammad AlSayyed occupied the right and left flanks, with Saif Abu Sneineh and Ahmed Qadourah anchoring the central midfield. Up front, Nariman Samani and Hazza Yateem were tasked with leading the attack as right and left forwards. The formation aimed to provide a solid defensive base while allowing for quick transitions to attack.
The substitutes for RIT Dubai included Abdelhamid Darweesh, Mohsin Ayaz, Hussam Alazzah, and Omar Ali, who were poised to make an impact should the need arise.
The match began with an early foul by Mohammad AlSayyed in the third minute, setting the tone for a physical contest. Just seven minutes later, Nariman Samani also committed a foul, indicating the intensity of the midfield battle. As the game progressed, Ahmed Qadourah was penalised for a foul in the 26th minute, further highlighting the competitive nature of the match.
As the second half began, the match reached a pivotal moment. In the 39th minute, both Omar Remawi and Saif Abu Sneineh were penalised for fouls, but it was AUS who capitalised on the pressure. Just after the half-time break, in the 40th minute, AUS struck first with a deflected goal from outside the area, executed with precision using the right foot, leaving Anandha Krishnan with little chance to respond.
The second half continued with RIT Dubai looking to regroup, but they were quickly dealt another blow. Just eight minutes after the first goal, AUS scored again in the 48th minute, this time from a goalmouth scramble, further extending their lead. The goal was a result of another free kick from a wide area which RIT failed to clear, and it left RIT Dubai trailing 2-0.
RIT Dubai attempted to respond immediately, with a foul committed by Saif Abu Sneineh in the 46th minute, but the momentum was firmly with AUS. In the 48th minute, RIT made their first substitution, bringing on Abdelhamid Darweesh for Mohammad AlSayyed, hoping to inject fresh energy into their midfield.
As the match progressed, RIT Dubai made further changes in the 53rd minute, with Mohsin Ayaz replacing Nariman Samani. Shortly after, Aws Dashash had a chance to reduce the deficit but saw his attempt saved, followed by another effort that went wide of the target.
In the 59th minute, RIT made two more substitutions, introducing Hussam Alazzah for Artur Farhutdinov and Omar Ali for Ahmed Qadourah, as they sought to alter the course of the match. Despite their efforts, RIT struggled to find the back of the net, with Abdelhamid Darweesh's attempt in the 61st minute also going wide.
As the final whistle approached, RIT Dubai could not find a way back into the game, and AUS held on to secure a well-deserved victory. The match showcased the resilience of both teams, but it was AUS who emerged triumphant, leaving RIT Dubai to reflect on missed opportunities and the need for improvement in future fixtures.
