In a gripping encounter at Repton School NAS on 26 October 2024, RIT Dubai and NYU Abu Dhabi played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their tournament home match. The match, which kicked off at 9:00 am, showcased a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams displaying resilience and skill throughout the 80 minutes of play.
RIT Dubai opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive structure while enabling their attacking midfielders to support the lone striker effectively. Yesa Aamir took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Omar Remawi and Khaled Jayyusi as the right and left defenders, respectively, with Mohamed Chahine and Filip Simunac occupying the central defensive roles. In midfield, Ahmed Qadourah and Abdulrahman Al Hanafi served as the central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking play. The attacking trio featured Hazza Yateem on the right, Mohamed AlSayed in the central attacking position, and Artur Farhutdinov on the left, all supporting striker Masoud Barahoey.
The substitutes for RIT Dubai included Nariman Samani, Aws Dashash, Munzir Kashef, Ahmed Mattar, Anas Bukdida, and Mohamed Razvin, providing depth and options for tactical changes as the match progressed.
The match began with an early foul by Filip Simunac, setting the tone for a fiercely contested game. Artur Farhutdinov quickly followed up with an attempt that sailed high, indicating RIT Dubai's intent to assert themselves. However, the early exchanges were marred by fouls from both sides, with Omar Remawi and Masoud Barahoey also committing infractions within the first six minutes.
As the game progressed, RIT Dubai's attacking efforts intensified, but they struggled to find the back of the net. Masoud Barahoey had a couple of attempts that went wide, while Mohamed AlSayed's efforts were thwarted by the NYU Abu Dhabi goalkeeper. Hazza Yateem also tried his luck, but his shot went wide, reflecting a frustrating start for the home side.
The breakthrough finally came in the 32nd minute when Artur Farhutdinov scored a stunning long-range strike, assisted by a precise cross from Hazza Yateem. This goal ignited the crowd and gave RIT Dubai a much-needed boost. However, the joy was short-lived as Omar Remawi conceded a foul that led to a penalty for NYU Abu Dhabi just after the break. The opponents equalised in the 50th minute from the spot, leaving the match finely poised.
RIT Dubai responded with a substitution, bringing on Nariman Samani for Abdulrahman Al Hanafi in the 51st minute, aiming to regain control in midfield. Yet, the game continued to swing back and forth, with both teams creating chances. Filip Simunac's long-range effort in the 45th minute added to the excitement, but it was his goal just before half-time that put RIT Dubai back in the lead, scoring with a powerful left-footed strike.
The second half saw NYU Abu Dhabi equalise again in the 65th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to score from inside the box. RIT Dubai's Hazza Yateem then restored their lead with a penalty in the 70th minute, following a foul on Masoud Barahoey, showcasing his composure under pressure.
As the match approached its climax, RIT Dubai made further substitutions, introducing Ahmed Mattar and Munzir Kashef for Artur Farhutdinov and Mohamed AlSayed, respectively. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Omar Remawi's late tackle in the 82nd minute resulted in another penalty for NYU Abu Dhabi. The opponents converted the penalty, equalising once more in the 83rd minute.
Tensions escalated as Anas Bukdida received a red card for violent conduct, leaving RIT Dubai with ten men. The match concluded with both teams sharing the spoils, leaving players and fans alike reflecting on a match filled with passion, skill, and drama. The performance of the referee, Daniel Frimpong, was commendable, managing the game effectively despite the high stakes and intensity.
