JEDDAH — Blasters FC will lock horns with Friends Mambad in the final of the 40-plus football tournament for JSC-Tamer Super Cup at the Hilal Shyam Football ground on Khaled Bin Waleed Street here.

Blasters FC knocked out hosts JSC through penalty shootout, 9-8, after a barren regulation time, while a tactically superior Friends Mambad outwitted a hard-working Blue Star Seniors by an early goal.

Attangana Pascal Arsene, First Vice Consul of the Republic of Cameroon, was the chief guest and he met with players, accompanied by a host of guests of honor, including Abdulrehaman Nahri Al-Shahrani, operation head of Saudi Health Ministry and FIFA certified coach Maxwell. JSC-ISM officials also presented Pascal a memento.

The first semifinal between hosts JSC and Blasters FC witnessed a lot of nice movements reminding the golden days of these 40-plus stars.

While JSC wasted chance after chance, its striker Sakeer being the “prodigal son”, true to their name Blasters were firing over and hitting against the upright and crossbar. Whereas JSC had three gilt-edged chances and it could have sealed the match in the first half.

While Blasters tactically kept the dangerous Saheer at bay not allowing him to receive the ball, his colleagues too failed to utilize him and experienced Haneefa failed to combine with the key player. JSC survived Blasters’ onslaught many a time as it was rescued by Player of the Match Ayub and Zamir in defense.

As usual, Rasheed was the livewire for Blasters. While striker Muneer remained silent, Haneefa was everywhere.

After a goalless regulation time Blasters made a brilliant move by handing over the goalkeeper’s mantle to Muneer, taking it from Shabeer Ali and proved a master stroke. Muneer not only opened the shootout by converting nicely, he made two saves — the third and 10th shots.

The second semifinal was fast and furious. Friends tactically controlled the game and the speedy Blue Star failed to combine.

Friends’ key striker Haris, who had won the Player of the Match, was no doubt was the fittest player among all the 40-plus stars. He proved his mettle by blasting Friends ahead in the fifth minute. But he was wayward in the second session.

While Blue Star fought very well to hit back, Sabu, the left wing back of Friends proved to be a stumbling block. His timely clearance, stout defending and man-marking won him the Player of the Match award. Friends too have an agile and alert goalkeeper in Rasheed Mullungal.

Earlier in exhibition handball competition, Areecode Town Team reached final and it will meet the winner of the duel between Blasters FC and JSC. — SG