play (sth) off
(of two teams, etc that have the same number of points, have drawn in an earlier match, etc) play the deciding match (两队得分相同或打成平局等时)作决赛
The match between the joint leaders will be played off tomorrow. 两优胜队明天决赛. play A off against B cause two people or groups to oppose each other, esp for one´s own advantage 挑拨离间(尤指为渔利)
She played her two rivals off against each other and got the job herself. 她挑拨两个对手相争, 自己却获得了那份工作.