RIT Dubai Edge Phoenix City 3-2 In Thrilling Friendly At HCT

RIT Dubai hosted Phoenix City at the HCT stadium on 24 November 2025, with kick-off at 7:45pm in a friendly 11-a-side encounter. The home side emerged victorious in a pulsating 3-2 win after 90 minutes of action, showcasing attacking verve and defensive resilience.

RIT Dubai lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation, deploying three defenders at the back with a single holding midfielder shielding the defence. Ahmed Omar took his place between the sticks as goalkeeper. The defensive trio consisted of Aws Dashash on the right, Mohsin Ayaz centrally, and Ahmed Qadourah on the left. Mohamed Hazza operated as the lone central midfielder tasked with breaking up play and linking defence to attack. Ahead of him, a quartet of attacking midfielders featured Mohamed Saif on the right flank, Karim Merzaq and Mohammad AlSayyed centrally, and Abdellah Jemal on the left. Up front, the strike partnership was formed by Hazza Yateem on the right and Saeed Alhashemi on the left. The substitutes available were Artur Farhutdinov, Masoud Barahoey, Saif Abu Sneineh, Mohamed Boudrai, and Omar Ali.

The match began with early signs of attacking intent from RIT Dubai, though Saeed Alhashemi was flagged offside inside the opening minute. Ahmed Omar was called into action in the seventh minute, producing a full stretch save to deny Phoenix City an early breakthrough. RIT’s forward Hazza Yateem was also caught offside in the 11th minute, highlighting the visitors’ tight defensive line.

Shortly after, Karim Merzaq committed a foul in the 12th minute, disrupting Phoenix City’s rhythm. However, RIT Dubai took the lead in the 17th minute when Hazza Yateem capitalised on a short pass from Saeed Alhashemi inside the box, calmly slotting home with his right foot. Despite another offside call against Yateem at the 21-minute mark, RIT Dubai’s attacking threat was evident.

At the half-hour mark, RIT Dubai made a triple substitution: Artur Farhutdinov replaced Karim Merzaq, Masoud Barahoey came on for Saeed Alhashemi, and Saif Abu Sneineh entered the fray for Mohamed Hazza. Just two minutes later, Abdellah Jemal was booked for a foul, reflecting the physical nature of the contest.

Hazza Yateem tested the opposition goalkeeper again in the 36th minute, but his effort was saved. RIT Dubai doubled their advantage three minutes later when Saif Abu Sneineh converted a penalty with his right foot, awarded after a foul in the box. Another substitution followed in the 40th minute as Mohamed Boudrai replaced Mohamed Saif.

As the first half drew to a close, Hazza Yateem was again flagged offside in the 43rd minute. The interval arrived with RIT Dubai comfortably ahead 2-0.

The second half saw immediate changes as Omar Ali replaced Ahmed Qadourah at left defender. Hazza Yateem was cautioned for a foul at the restart. Masoud Barahoey’s attempt wide of the target came in the 46th minute, while Ahmed Omar made a crucial point-blank reaction save in the 52nd minute to keep the clean sheet intact.

Barahoey’s high effort in the 54th minute was followed by a substitution in the 55th minute, with Saeed Alhashemi returning to the pitch for Hazza Yateem. However, the momentum shifted as Phoenix City were awarded a penalty after Mohsin Ayaz fouled an opponent, which they converted immediately to halve the deficit.

Mohamed Boudrai’s high attempt in the 58th minute was followed by further changes as Mohamed Hazza came on for Mohammad AlSayyed in the 60th minute, and Karim Merzaq returned to replace Omar Ali a minute later. Ahmed Omar secured a comfortable catch in the 64th minute to maintain RIT Dubai’s lead.

Mohamed Saif was reintroduced in place of Mohamed Boudrai in the 71st minute. Phoenix City responded with a stunning long-range strike in the 73rd minute, levelling the score at 2-2 and setting up a tense finale.

RIT Dubai restored their lead in the 80th minute through Artur Farhutdinov, who finished with his left foot inside the box after a precise cross from Saeed Alhashemi. The match grew increasingly physical, with Ahmed Qadourah receiving a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 81st minute, quickly followed by a booking for Saif Abu Sneineh for a similar offence a minute later. Both players were involved in fouls during this period, as was Saeed Alhashemi in the 83rd minute.

In the 86th minute, Mohammad AlSayyed replaced Ahmed Qadourah, who had earlier been cautioned. An offside call against AlSayyed came in the 88th minute. Karim Merzaq committed two fouls in quick succession towards the end of normal time, earning a yellow card for persistent infringements in the 91st minute.

Masoud Barahoey had a late effort over the bar in the 92nd minute as RIT Dubai held on for a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

Standout performers included Saif Abu Sneineh, whose penalty and tenacity were vital, and Hazza Yateem, who was instrumental in attack with his goal and key assists. Ahmed Omar’s goalkeeping heroics also proved crucial in securing the win for RIT Dubai in this entertaining friendly encounter.