the match facts and reports:
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World Cup 2002
- African qualification - match report
Namibia
- Egypt Feb
24 1400 GMT
Before the match:
Egypt is facing a crucial
away match at Namibia, right there where you can make three big points
in a group likely to see a lot of draws. Morocco already failed to win
at Namibia in June 2000 and Egypt could make up for their draw at home
with Morocco four weeks ago. Egypt yet have to score a goal but this should
be easier against the Namibians than in the two difficult matches behind.
Namibias perfomances on the other hand have become unpredictable, on one
of their good days they can be trouble for anybody.
1st half:
- Namibia in red shorts
and white shirts, Egypt in green (new Puma)
- the first few minutes
see determined Namibians pinning back their opponents into their half
- ('8) it seems to be one
of Namibias better days: they combinate into the penalty area and Egypt
defenders have to throw in everything to prevent a good opportunity
- ('9) Egypt no starting
bad but running into a counter attack by Namibia: the eventual shot goes
wide
- Egypt has to try to
score to take the obvious confidence out of the Namibian game
- ('11) the Namibian defence
loks valuable and the keeper has to deflect a dangerous 16 m shot for a
corner which then sees a header saved without problem
- a lively, exciting
match so far promising goals
- ('15) it is Namibia again
stopped in the last moment - the Namibians attacks are run very variable
and skillfully against an alerted Egyptian defence - a good looking matchup
- ('17) meanwhile the Namibian
defence looks less solid: Hossam Hassan can get off a bycicle kick against
three defenders - eventually it is harmless but it indicates upcoming opportunities
- ('22) this time Namibian
defenders can stop Sabry on a counter attack before shooting
- ('26) an insufficient
clearance by the Namibian defence leads to an Egyptian 25 meter attempt
ehich goes wide
- ('28) 20 meter free kick
by Egypt, nice trick, well executed, fools the defenders about to which
side it is indirectly executed, and Ramzy eventually fires it across the
bar
- Egypt more and more
take over the match
- ('34) Hazem Emams distance
attempt is no problem for the keeper
- ('35) Namibia again with
a dangerous corner but again, when it comes to the crunch, a defenders
leg is always in between
- ('42) another dangerous
corner by Namibia
- ('44) the very fair match
suddenly becomes hectical by two very quick yellow cards against Ahmed
Hassan and Ibrahim Hassan for argueing over two meaningless decisions
halftime 0:0
Concentrated Egyptians are
facing partly inspired Namibian attacks - it is not an easy task for the
favorites. The weather and the relatively good looking pitch favour a lively
match with a good tempo but yet no goals. Egypt will have to break their
goal spell (no World Cup qualifier goal yet) in the second half and it
will not be easy.
2nd half:
- ('48) corners on both
sides and the Namibian one turns very dangerous when the egyptian keeper
misjudges the ball and an insuing direct shot only misses the goal by a
meter or two
- Egypt seems to dominate
now but:
- ('50) a Namibian break
and a through ball on #11 who scores by a low shot against the running
out keeper - 1:0
- it was clear that it
was important to score first in this match, now suddenly Egypt is under
big pressure while Namibia will crowd their defence and look for more situations
like the one that led to the goal
- ('58) Tjikuzu conducts
another dangerous Namibian attack, this time defenders arrive in time
- the Egyptian attempts
look much too hectical now
- ('68) the Namibian keeper
grabs the ball when suddenly a long flying ball finds either Sabry or #18
unmarked who then tries a direct lob
- ('73) a cross from the
left by #18 finds Hossam Hassan who seems surprised he gets this good opportunity
unchallenged in front of the goal and lets the ball bounce off his feet
- he does not seem to be in the form he has been famous for, maybe he has
run too much for pressing purposes
- ('76) Egypt brings in
two substitutes, among them Tarek Said - Hossam Hassan leaves the pitch
- ('80) Egypt bring on a
thrid substitute
- Egypt try and try but
Namibians defend strongly by disturbing the Egyptian build up, cutting
spaces and creating time and pace costing one against one situations. Egypt
are nervous and attacks do not run as smoothly as usually
- ('87) the Namibian keeper
rescues against the broken through Tarek Said
- several Namibian players
have asked for treatment during the last minutes - some extra time should
have to be added
- ('89) Namibian #11 is
sent through again but this time he shoots wide
- mistimed crosses, unprecise
passing, clear signs of hectic spoil the Egyptian attempts
- ('injury time) a cross
from the left - a header gets blocked, the ball is loose and #15 (substitute)
kicks it across the line from 4 meters - 1:1
- Egypt run and go for the
second but time is over
final score 1:1
it sounds paradox - but
even after only three points and one goal from three matches this Egyptian
team looks stronger than in most of the recent years but their biggest
problem now is goal scoring. Today they faced a determined and well playing
Namibian team and lost calm when the situation grew more menacing, not
unusual for the North Africans. Egypt did not do worse than Morocco at
Namibia and should avoid the self destruction attempts Morocco went through
after the Nations Cup 2000. Everything is possible in this group. Apart
from a Namibian qualification of course - this team has a second, much
weaker identity which is especially often seen at away matches. |
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Zusammenfassung
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