Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — A never-say-die Blasters FC showcased its talent again and emerged third time lucky by getting the better of last year’s runner-up Sharafiya Trading Zabin FC 2-1 in the 18th SIFF-Eastea Champions League Football Tournament at the Ministry of Education Stadium here recently.

After losing their earlier two encounters by a whisker, despite putting up impressive shows, a determined Blasters young men proved their prowess authoritatively and grabbed a deserving victory by taking the measure of Zabin FC this time, leaving this A Division “group of death” lively.

Zabin FC got off to a flying start as it went one up in the third minute through a penalty scored by Muneer. The match became lively as the young Blasters went all out for an equalizer and they earned it in three minutes.

Energetic Chellai Pandyan, Mufasid, Safeer and Jigesh rose to the occasion and applied pressure on Zabin. Receiving a long pass on right flank Mufasid rushed to the box and fired powerfully to find goalkeeper Sharafuddin blocking the shot. But an alert Mufasid pounced on the rebound and scored.

The rest of the first session witnessed a wave of attacks from both the sides.

Muneer and Samanath controlled the Zabin middle and kept Siraj and Nizam on their toes but the strikers failed to find the target.

While at the other end, Safeer dominated the midfield and combined well with Pandyan, Jigesh and Mufasid. They troubled the Zabin defense and finally its citadel fell as Safeer’s bullet shot landed in the cage.

With 2-1 lead Blasters had the upper hand in the second session but the game lacked fervor and both the teams could not produce another goal, with Blasters going out with their heads high and Zabin FC waiting for other results for a semifinal berth.

The match between Friends Jeddah and Real Kerala XI will decide the semifinalists.

Safeer of Blasters was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Sporting United B defeated Anakish FC 2-0 and entered the semifinals in Division D. Salman Haris, who scored both the goals was selected as the Player of the Match.

Young Challengers and United Sports Club shared four goals in Division C.

Shabeer and Firoze scored for Young Challengers, while Abdul Salam and Mohammed Rafi found the target for United. Mohammed Rafi was adjudged the Player of the Match.

In a B Division match, Blue Star A defeated Jeddah FC 3-1. Blue Star scorers were Mohammed Riaz, Abdul Nabeel and Riaz Babu. Suhail reduced the margin for Jeddah FC through a spot kick. Mohammed Riaz of Blue Star won the Player of the Match award.

Friday’s matches (from 4 p.m.): Young Men’s FC Friends Jeddah vs. Al-Hazmi Newcastle United (Div. B); FC Queiza vs. Saam Youth FC (Div. C); Al-Barakha ACC FC A vs. Rehab FC Yanbu (Div. B), Shams Containers Blue Star A vs. Printechs Yas Club (Div. B) and Saphire Family Restaurant Blue Star B vs. TSS Advertising ACC FC B (Div. A).