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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 June 1999 Issue No. 435 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 - 30 June 1999 Issue No. 435
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Interview Travel Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Not a good sign
By Abeer AnwarA four-nation international football tournament in South Korea, which Egypt used as a warm-up in preparation for its debut in the Continental Cup in Mexico next month, did not achieve the desired results. Following draws with Croatia and South Korea and a loss to Mexico, Egypt finished last, losing out on a first prize of $200,000 and just as important, raising fears as to what it will do in the tougher Continental championship.
With five points, Croatia took first place and the lion's share of the cash prize. Mexico came in second with four points and pocketed $100,000. Korea managed third place with three points.
Egypt's woes began when it blew a 2-0 lead to Croatia although it looked headed for a comfortable win, playing as it was against a Croatian side missing most of the players who took the country to a remarkable fourth-place finish in the 1998 World Cup.
Added to the misery was the loss of star striker Hossam Hassan due to injury. Against Croatia, Hassan was taken off with a leg fracture which put him in a cast for at least three weeks. He will need two more weeks to fully recuperate, effectively ending any hope of the Ahli great playing in the Continental Cup.
"I had been preparing myself for the Continental Cup," Hassan, 33, later said in tears. "I was doing my best in all the friendly matches we've played. Although I am not the best [Egyptian] player of the 20th century, I want to end the century with the best results and finish my career successfully."
Considering Korea had the home advantage, Egypt's goalless draw against the locals was commendable. But replacing Hassan proved difficult. Zamalek centre forward Abdel-Hamid Bassiuni, the league's top scorer two years ago, tried to fill the gap but lack of international experience and lack of playing time due to an injury-plagued season took their toll.
Egypt's final match with Mexico was particularly important for two reasons. Mexico and Egypt are paired together in the same group in the Continental Cup. In addition, it was a chance for Egypt to redeem itself following a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Central American country in a friendly in Hong Kong a few months back. But two goals, coming early and late in the game, put paid to Egypt's hopes of either beating Mexico or winning the title.
Despite the poor performance, coach Mahmoud El-Gohari insisted that good things came out of the tournament. "We benefited a lot from it," El-Gohari said. "The players gained experience and I was able to test their physical fitness and know what some of the players lack."
For Croatia, too, the tournament was helpful in preparing it for the yet-to-conclude qualifying matches for the 2000 European Nations Cup final. As for Korea, the championship was good practice for the Asian Cup finals to be held next year as well.
During the tournament, FIFA head Joseph Blatter made an impromptu visit to Korea and met with members of the four teams, lending the event added importance.
Egypt will now play a friendly with Zimbabwe after which the team will fly to Mexico on 5 July where it will play two more warm-ups with New Zealand and one with the United States.
The South Korean tournament, the country's 32nd, is held once every two years.
