In a dramatic semifinal clash at the ValueJet Cup24, Remo Stars emerged victorious over Al Merrikh in a penalty shootout, securing their place in the final.
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The match ended 1-1 after regulation time, leading to a tense penalty decider where Remo Stars triumphed 4-2.
The game started evenly, with both teams struggling to find a breakthrough. Al Merrikh eventually took the lead in the 22nd minute when a defensive lapse allowed them to score.
Remo Stars had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 35th minute when Haruna Hadi combined with Dela, but the shot went wide.
Despite controlling the midfield through Seth Mayi, Remo Stars couldn’t capitalize on their chances in the first half. The halftime score stood at 1-0 in favor of Al Merrikh.
The second half saw a more aggressive Remo Stars side. Five minutes into the half, Al Merrikh still held their lead. However, in the 67th minute, Remo Stars finally found the back of the net.
Isaac James pounced on a goalkeeper error following a powerful shot from Ahmed Akinyele to bring the score level at 1-1.
Both teams continued to battle for the lead, but stout defending and crucial saves kept the score unchanged.
Ahmed Akinyele made a last-ditch defensive effort to keep Remo Stars in the game, which proved vital as the match headed to penalties.
The penalty shootout was a nail-biting affair. Remo Stars showed composure and precision, converting four of their spot-kicks, while Al Merrikh faltered under pressure, missing twice.
Al Merrikh’s goalkeeper Ojo Olorunleke made some key saves during the match, but it wasn’t enough to stop Remo Stars in the shootout.
In the end, Remo Stars won the shootout 4-2, securing their place in the final. As the players celebrated, the fans cheered loudly, hopeful for a victorious conclusion to the #ValueJetCup24.
