Sportsmanship

Game between Al Nahdha and Al Ittihad on Thursday reaffirms the notion of sportsmanship - while simultaneously justifying every evil thought you've ever thought about a referee.

Al Nahdha's goalkeeper Taisir Al Antaif was about to make a clearance early in the second half with the scores still at 2-2 - but noticed that his shoelace had come undone, and was clearly nervous about his boot coming off as he kicked.

The opposing striker bearing down on him, a Brazilian by the name of Jobson, noticed what was going on - but instead of trying to take advantage, he ran up to his opponent and did his shoelace for him.

Al Antaif slapped his new friend on the back as thanks, and gave him a high five afterwards before getting on with the game. 

But, here's where it turned sourpenalising the keeper for taking too long with his clearance.

He awarded an indirect free kick inside the area, and the home side lined up, clearly fearing the worst as Al Ittihad's strike force discussed their attacking options.

But in one of the most subtle and greatest insults given to a match official, Al Ittihad did the decent thing and merely passed the ball safely off the pitch. Even the supporters cheered at the gesture.

In a single stroke, the players managed to endorse a magnificent moment of sportsmanship between two opponents, while highlighting what an idiot the referee had made of himself.

No copyright infringement intended. For educational, non-commercial purposes only.