ABU DHABI – Al-Ahly and Modern Future FC secured their spots in the Egyptian Super Cup final after defeating Ceramica Cleopatra and Pyramids FC respectively at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
In the first semi-final tie, Modern Future FC grabbed their spot in the final after beating Pyramids 14-13 in a penalty shootout.
In other semi-final match, Al-Ahly stunned Ceramica Cleopatra 1-0 thanks to an injury time goal from Cleopatra’s midfielder Justice Arthur in his own net.
The Red Devils will now clash with Modern Future FC in the final on Thursday.
This year’s Egyptian Super Cup has adopted a new format, increasing the number of participating teams from two to four, hosted in Abu Dhabi for the next four consecutive years..
The Egyptian Football Association, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has revealed a radical transformation for the Super Cup.
The winner of the newly formatted Super Cup will claim a prize of $250,000, with the runner-up receiving $125,000.
The third-place finisher will secure $75,000, and the fourth-place contender will be awarded $50,000.
Modern-Pyramids tie settled after 34 penalty kicks
It took 34 penalty kicks before Modern Future finally beat Pyramids 14-13 in a nerve-shredding shootout in the Egyptian Super Cup semi-final after the contest had ended in a 0-0 draw, Reuters reported.
Modern Future, who will face Al-Ahly in the final, squandered three spot kicks while Pyramids lost the match after missing a fourth penalty kick at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Pyramids defender Osama Galal wasted two penalty shots, including the decisive one that sealed victory for Future.
Even though at times it felt that the shootout was never ending, it was well short of the 54 penalties taken when Washington FC beat Bedlington Terriers 25-24 in a local cup match in England last year.
A 2005 Namibian Cup match between KK Palace and Civics featured 48 penalties.
