RIT Dubai secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against CUD in a thrilling cup match held at the American University of Sharjah on 11 March 2025. The match kicked off at 9:30 PM, showcasing a competitive spirit from both teams as they battled for progression in the tournament.
RIT Dubai lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, which allowed for a solid defensive structure while providing width and attacking options. Anandha Krishnan took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Anas Bukdida and Aws Dashash as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Artemii Graf and Husnain Khan forming the central defensive partnership. In midfield, Omar Remawi and Mohammad AlSayyed occupied the right and left flanks, while Saif Abu Sneineh and Ahmed Qadourah operated centrally. Up front, Nariman Samani and Hazza Yateem were tasked with leading the line as the two forwards.
The substitutes for RIT Dubai included Artur Farhutdinov, Mohsin Ayaz, Abdelhamid Darweesh, and Mohamed Saif, who would later play crucial roles in the match.
The opening goal came in the 15th minute when Saif Abu Sneineh unleashed a stunning long-range strike from outside the box, expertly assisted by Nariman Samani's short pass. This early breakthrough set the tone for RIT Dubai, who looked to build on their lead. However, just four minutes later, CUD responded with an equaliser, demonstrating their resilience and intent to contest the match.
RIT Dubai regained the lead in the 30th minute when Hazza Yateem scored directly from a corner kick, his header finding the back of the net thanks to another assist from the impressive Saif Abu Sneineh. This goal not only showcased RIT Dubai's set-piece prowess but also highlighted the synergy between Abu Sneineh and Yateem.
As the first half drew to a close, the score stood at 2-1 in favour of RIT Dubai, with both teams having shown flashes of quality. The half-time whistle blew at the 35-minute mark, allowing both sides to regroup and strategise for the second half.
The second half saw RIT Dubai make a series of substitutions to maintain their momentum. Artur Farhutdinov replaced Nariman Samani just before the half-time break, while Mohsin Ayaz and Abdelhamid Darweesh came on for Omar Remawi and Anas Bukdida, respectively, shortly after the restart. These changes aimed to inject fresh energy into the team as they sought to secure their lead.
In the 56th minute, Mohamed Saif entered the fray, taking the place of Hazza Yateem, further altering the dynamics of the match. However, the game took a turn for the worse for RIT Dubai when Abdelhamid Darweesh received a yellow card in the 60th minute, putting him on notice as the match intensified.
Despite CUD's attempts to find an equaliser, RIT Dubai's defence held firm, with Anandha Krishnan making crucial saves to preserve their lead. The match concluded after 70 minutes of play, with RIT Dubai emerging victorious, securing their place in the next round of the cup.
Saif Abu Sneineh's standout performance, marked by a goal and an assist, earned him the title of Player of the Match, reflecting his significant contribution to RIT Dubai's success on this memorable evening.
