In a captivating friendly encounter held at the University Of Sharjah on 3rd February 2025, RIT Dubai and their hosts, University Of Sharjah, played out an exhilarating 3-3 draw. The match, which kicked off at 6:00pm, showcased a flurry of goals and dramatic moments, leaving both teams with plenty to ponder as they prepare for future fixtures.
RIT Dubai adopted a 4-4-2 formation, designed to balance both defensive solidity and attacking intent. Omar Taalab donned the gloves as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back four comprising Anas Bukdida on the right, Mohsin Ayaz and Husnain Khan in central defence, and Hussam Alazzah on the left. The midfield was anchored by Ahmed Qadourah and Nariman Samani in central roles, while Omar Remawi and Mohamed Saif provided width on the right and left flanks, respectively. Up front, Hazza Yateem and Abdelhamid Darweesh formed a dynamic partnership, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for RIT Dubai included Saif Abu Sneineh, Aws Dashash, Masoud Barahoey, Khaled Jayyusi, and Mohammad AlSayyed, who would later play crucial roles in the unfolding drama.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with Hazza Yateem testing the University Of Sharjah goalkeeper twice within the opening six minutes, both attempts thwarted. However, it was the hosts who struck first, taking the lead in the 11th minute with a goal from inside the box, expertly finished with the left foot. RIT Dubai found themselves further behind just six minutes later when the University Of Sharjah doubled their advantage, another close-range effort, this time with the right foot.
RIT Dubai's response was immediate, with Abdelhamid Darweesh forcing a save from the opposition goalkeeper in the 13th minute. However, the visitors were struggling to find their rhythm, and a series of fouls, including those by Omar Remawi, Mohamed Saif, and Nariman Samani, disrupted their flow.
In the 25th minute, RIT Dubai finally broke through, as Hazza Yateem found the net with a well-placed left-footed shot, following a long pass from Nariman Samani that initiated a well-coordinated team move. This goal injected new life into RIT Dubai, and shortly after, they made three substitutions, bringing on Saif Abu Sneineh, Aws Dashash, and Mohammad AlSayyed, as they sought to build on their momentum.
As the first half drew to a close, RIT Dubai continued to press, with attempts from Saif Abu Sneineh going high and a penalty awarded to RIT Dubai converted by Aws Dashash just before half-time, bringing the score to 2-3. A yellow card for Mohammad AlSayyed for unsporting behaviour added to the drama just before the break.
The second half commenced with RIT Dubai making further changes, including the return of Ahmed Qadourah and the introduction of Abdelhamid Darweesh. The visitors started brightly, but it was the University Of Sharjah who struck again in the 52nd minute, scoring directly from a corner kick to restore their two-goal cushion.
RIT Dubai, undeterred, continued to push forward, with Ahmed Qadourah and later attempts from Aws Dashash and Mohammad AlSayyed being saved. The match took a turn in the 82nd minute when Hussam Alazzah received a red card for a bad tackle, leaving RIT Dubai with ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, RIT Dubai rallied, and in the 86th minute, Hazza Yateem scored his second of the match, assisted by Ahmed Qadourah, bringing the score to 3-3. This late equaliser capped off a thrilling encounter, showcasing the resilience and fighting spirit of RIT Dubai.
As the final whistle blew, both teams were left reflecting on a match filled with intensity, skill, and moments of brilliance, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
