Before the match both coaches remarked on how this game would be their first real test for either side as both teams were of a similar level.

The opening exchanges saw tactics go out the window as both sides were looking to attack, the game was open right from the off.

In the 18th minute Yassine Chikhaoui was fouled on the right side of the edge of the box, Abdulaziz Abdulla did well to work the keeper from distance with a low drilled effort but the keeper just go a hand to it.

Both sides were making a high number of unforced errors and neither side could dominate the possession as the ball pinged around the midfield continuously. This carefree approach to the game would prove especially costly for Arabi when in the 37^th minute Ashkan made a lazy pass that was intercepted by Lawrence Quay.

The Gharafa midfielder then went on a marauding run down the middle and as he did he drew more Arabi players towards him, then he played a great through ball to the unmarked Hassan Moayad who did well to finish from a tight angle.

Arabi pressured as half time neared but didn’t manage to even work the keeper with few shots on target.

In the second half it took until the 66^th minute for the Reds to get their first good chance of the game. Ashkan, who was looking to make up for his earlier mistake, stepped up when Arabi was awarded a freekick in a dangerous area to the left of the box.

The Iranian was made to wait due to ongoing shenanigans in the box but eventually the ref blew the whistle and he struck the cross bar with a powerful curling shot.

A minute later Gharafa could have made it two as Chikhaoui received the ball on the edge of the box, the Gharafa forward was unmarked and had time to turn before releasing a shot which unfortunately for the Cheetahs went straight at the keeper.

In the 70^th minute Arabi had another decent chance to equalise, again Ashkan was involved when this time, the Iranian latched onto a great cross from the left, he stretched and just got a toe on it but ball just went wide as the keeper looked on.

Gharafa were under intense pressure in the final stages and where looking particularly frail but somehow they held on for all three points in a truly entertaining encounter.