RIT Dubai Fall To Phoenix City In 3-1 Friendly Defeat

RIT Dubai hosted Phoenix City at HCT on 8 October 2025, with kick-off at 8:00pm, in a friendly 11-a-side encounter that ended in a 3-1 defeat for the home side. Despite a spirited display, RIT Dubai were undone by three close-range headed goals from corners, conceding all three in the second half.

RIT Dubai lined up in a 5-3-2 formation, deploying a back five to provide defensive solidity. Omar Taalab started in goal, shielded by a defensive trio of Abdulla Alblooshi, Mohsin Ayaz, and Aws Dashash centrally, flanked by Khalifa Albedwawi on the right and Omar Remawi on the left. The midfield trio consisted of Nariman Samani on the right, Mohamed Saif centrally, and Mohammad AlSayyed on the left, tasked with linking defence and attack. Up front, Saeed Alhashemi operated as the right forward, with Hazza Yateem on the left forward role, expected to spearhead the attack. The substitutes available were Mohamed Hazza, Artur Farhutdinov, Hussam Alazzah, Masoud Barahoey, Abdelhamid Darweesh, Armaan Shafique, and Smyan Aggarwal.

The match began with early attempts from RIT Dubai, as Omar Remawi fired a high effort in the fourth minute, followed swiftly by a similar high attempt from Hazza Yateem a minute later. However, fouls disrupted the rhythm early on, with Mohammad AlSayyed committing a foul in the fifth minute and Nariman Samani following suit ten minutes later. The physicality intensified as Hazza Yateem and Saeed Alhashemi both fouled opponents in the 18th minute.

Shortly after, RIT Dubai made their first substitution with Mohamed Hazza replacing Omar Remawi at left defender in the 19th minute. Goalkeeper Omar Taalab was called into action at the 24th minute, producing a vital parry to keep the scoreline level. The home side then made a double substitution at the same time, with Hussam Alazzah and Artur Farhutdinov coming on for Mohammad AlSayyed and Abdulla Alblooshi respectively, signalling a tactical shift.

However, Phoenix City struck immediately after these changes, scoring a close-range header direct from a corner kick in the 25th minute, putting RIT Dubai behind. RIT Dubai responded with another substitution three minutes later, bringing back Omar Remawi on for Khalifa Albedwawi at right defender. Further changes followed as Masoud Barahoey replaced Hazza Yateem in the 37th minute and Abdelhamid Darweesh came on for Saeed Alhashemi two minutes later.

Artur Farhutdinov was caught offside in the 41st minute as RIT Dubai sought to find an equaliser. Just before half-time, Aws Dashash tested the opposition goalkeeper with a shot that was saved. The home side then made a flurry of substitutions at the interval, with Smyan Aggarwal replacing Omar Taalab in goal, Armaan Shafique coming on for Nariman Samani in midfield, and Mohammad AlSayyed returning to replace Mohamed Hazza.

The first half ended with Phoenix City leading 1-0, courtesy of their set-piece prowess.

In the second half, the game remained physical with Omar Remawi committing a foul in the 58th minute. RIT Dubai made another midfield change at the hour mark, bringing Nariman Samani back on for Mohamed Saif. The home side briefly lifted their spirits when Armaan Shafique scored in the 61st minute, finishing a team move with a right-footed strike following a clever back-heel assist from Masoud Barahoey.

Smyan Aggarwal was kept busy in goal, making a point-blank reaction save immediately after the goal to deny Phoenix City an instant reply. However, his afternoon took a downturn when he was booked for a bad tackle in the 68th minute after committing a foul.

RIT Dubai made a defensive substitution in the 69th minute, with Abdulla Alblooshi returning to replace Hussam Alazzah. Masoud Barahoey had a chance to extend the home side’s momentum but fired wide in the 71st minute before conceding a foul a minute later.

Phoenix City then restored their two-goal advantage in the 72nd minute with another close-range header direct from a corner kick, a pattern that would prove costly for RIT Dubai. The home side continued to press, with attempts from Hazza Yateem and Saeed Alhashemi going wide in the 74th and 75th minutes respectively.

Smyan Aggarwal was again called into action with a full-stretch save in the 77th minute, keeping RIT Dubai in the contest. Unfortunately for the hosts, Phoenix City sealed the victory with a third headed goal from a corner in the 78th minute, once again capitalising on set-piece delivery.

Despite the defeat, Mohsin Ayaz and Aws Dashash stood out for RIT Dubai, both earning recognition for their performances in central defence. The match was officiated by Daniel Frimpong, who maintained control with a solid display.

Ultimately, RIT Dubai were undone by Phoenix City’s clinical set-piece execution and were unable to convert their chances into goals beyond the solitary strike from Armaan Shafique. The friendly provided valuable lessons ahead of future fixtures.