Yateem’s Brace Secures Thrilling 2-2 Draw At HCT

RIT Dubai welcomed Abu Dhabi University to HCT on 14 January 2026 for an 8:30pm kick-off in a friendly 11-a-side encounter that ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw. Both sides shared the spoils after a match filled with attacking intent, tactical adjustments and moments of individual brilliance.

RIT Dubai lined up in a 4-5-1 formation, deploying Smyan Aggarwal in goal behind a back four of Khalifa Albedwawi at right back, Mohsin Ayaz and Aws Dashash as central defenders, and Husnain Khan on the left. The midfield five featured Saif Abu Sneineh on the right flank, Nariman Samani, Mohamed Hazza and Mohammad AlSayyed centrally, with Masoud Barahoey operating on the left. Leading the line was lone striker Hazza Yateem, tasked with spearheading the attack and linking play. The substitutes bench included Momen Tarek, Abdellah Jemal, Mahmoud Sabough, Mohamed Chahine, Ahmed Qadourah, Omar Remawi and Abdulkarim AlSafadi.

From the outset, RIT Dubai showed attacking intent with Yateem testing the opposition keeper inside the opening minute, though his effort was comfortably saved. The striker continued to probe, firing wide attempts in the 11th and 19th minutes as RIT sought to break the deadlock. However, the visitors struck first in the 25th minute with a spectacular long-range strike from outside the box that left Aggarwal with no chance, putting Abu Dhabi University ahead.

Shortly after conceding, RIT’s goalkeeper Smyan Aggarwal produced a vital point-blank reaction save in the 27th minute to keep his side in the contest. The game grew increasingly physical, with Mohamed Hazza committing a foul in the 28th minute which earned a yellow card for an Abu Dhabi University player following a bad tackle. RIT responded with a substitution at 25 minutes, bringing on Momen Tarek for Saif Abu Sneineh to inject fresh energy on the right midfield.

The visitors’ physicality continued to test RIT’s resilience, with another yellow card shown to Abu Dhabi University in the 40th minute for a bad tackle. RIT’s defenders Aws Dashash attempted to respond offensively with two efforts in quick succession at the 40th minute, one saved and the other wide. During The halftime break, Mohamed Chahine replaced Khalifa Albedwawi as RIT returned to a 3-5-2 formation while Ahmed Qadourah came on for Mohamed Hazza in midfield.

Just before the break, RIT Dubai’s striker Hazza Yateem produced a moment of individual brilliance to equalise with a solo goal, expertly finishing with his right foot after capitalizing on a defensive error. This goal injected renewed belief into the home side as the teams went into the interval locked at 1-1.

The second half saw RIT pushing forward in search of a lead, with Mohsin Ayaz and Momen Tarek both attempting shots early on, the latter’s effort saved by the keeper in the 49th minute. Yateem continued to press but fired wide in the 50th minute. Abu Dhabi University regained the lead in the 53rd minute through a fluke goal, a right-footed strike that caught a deflection off the defence and took keeper Smyan off guard.

RIT responded with a double substitution at 55 minutes, bringing on Omar Remawi for Masoud Barahoey moving into right midfield and later replacing goalkeeper Smyan Aggarwal with Abdulkarim AlSafadi in the 58th minute. Remawi’s presence was felt immediately, though his attempt went wide in the 55th minute. The match remained intense and physical, with Remawi receiving a yellow card for a foul in the 60th minute, however, he could feel lucky that he didn't see Red.

AlSafadi made a crucial full-stretch save in the 61st minute to deny Abu Dhabi University from extending their lead. RIT’s attacking efforts continued with Ahmed Qadourah and Mahmoud Sabough both attempting shots in the 63rd minute, Sabough’s effort saved by the keeper. Momen Tarek was replaced by Masoud Barahoey in the 65th minute, signalling a tactical reshuffle.

Further changes followed with Husnain Khan returning to left back in place of Aws Dashash at 75 minutes, and Nariman Samani reintroduced in midfield for the tiring Hazza Yateem. The game’s physicality persisted, with Husnain Khan receiving a yellow card for a foul in the 79th minute, and Mohamed Hazza committing another foul shortly after.

In the closing stages, Khalifa Albedwawi and Saif Abu Sneineh were reintroduced in place of Mohsin Ayaz and Abdellah Jemal respectively at 82 minutes, while Yateem returned to the pitch for Masoud Barahoey two minutes later. The striker’s persistence paid off in the 86th minute when he capitalised on a goalmouth scramble to slot home a close-range finish with his right foot, levelling the score at 2-2.

The final moments saw further fouls, including one by Omar Remawi in the 88th minute, but neither side could find a winner as the match ended in a hard-fought draw. Mohammad AlSayyed’s industrious midfield display earned him the player of the match accolade, reflecting his vital role in both defensive duties and linking play throughout the contest.

This entertaining friendly showcased RIT Dubai’s resilience and attacking threat, with Hazza Yateem’s brace highlighting his importance up front. Abu Dhabi University’s long-range strike and opportunistic second goal ensured a competitive match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.