Sporting, Blue Star in semis

JEDDAH — Sporting United A and hosts Nadec Blue Star A entered the semifinals in the Under-17 Juniors and Open Seniors sections, respectively, of the third Nadec Blue Star Soccer Fest 2016 at the Hilal Sham Stadium near Khaled Bin Waleed Street here recently. Experienced Sporting United earned its ticket to semifinals by recording its second consecutive victory by scotching the challenge of newcomers Students India Strikers 3-0. India Strikers matched their rivals in the beginning but slowly caved in as Sporting United settled down. Rasheed scored a brace for the winner and the third was a self goal. Rami Latheef of Students India Strikers excelled for the losers, while Hatim Nasir of Sporting United was adjudged the Player of the Match. In the second Under 17 match, Sporting United B and Soccer Freaks Juniors shared two goals and points. Imran Abdullah put Sporting one up and Naeem Siddiqui scored the equalizer for Soccer Freaks. Fadi Ashraf of Sporting United was named the Player of the Match. The Open Seniors match provided a lot of thrilling moments for the soccer fans as hosts Blue Star A and Al-Amal Watches Blasters FC drew the encounter 2-2. Since the teams tied on points and goals average the organizers resorted to shootout to break the tie. Blue Star’s goalkeeper Shibili Kodassery emerged as the savior for hosts as he saved two spot kicks. Azharuddin scored first for Blasters and Blue Star rallied through a header by Sameer Pandikkad. Blasters again took the lead through Badruddin but Jaseer Tharayil leveled by converting a spot kick. Jaseer could have won the game for hosts had he converted the second penalty during the dying minutes of the game. However, he was adjudged the Player of the Match. Friday’s matches: Sporting United B vs. Talent Teens (8:00 p.m.), Students India Strikers vs. Jeddah XI Juniors Club and Al-Ryan Blue Star vs. Soccer Freaks Seniors. — SG