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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 Feb. - 1 March 2000 Issue No. 470 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 24 Feb. - 1 March 2000 Issue No. 470
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Heritage Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Bridesmaids again
Abeer AnwarIt was déjà vu as South Africa beat Egypt 3-1 to take first place in the four-nation International Hockey Championship held in Cairo. The victory was the second in a row for the South Africans over Egypt, following their 4-0 thrashing in last year's All-Africa Games in Johannesburg.
At Cairo Stadium, the host nation sought revenge but came up short. Despite having the upper hand throughout almost the entire first half, Egypt was unable to translate its field superiority into goals. The goal drought threatened to continue after star attacker Yasser Abdel-Moneim was carried off the field after clashing with a South African defender.
Egypt paid for its lack of a nose-for-goals player as South Africa led 1-0 at half-time and added another goal in the second before Egypt pulled one back off a shot by Walid El-Rashidi. But South Africa was not to be daunted, adding an insurance goal. South African player Greek Nicol was a one-man show, scoring all of his country's three goals for a hat-trick.
Egypt reached the final after beating Switzerland 2-1 in the opener, then downing India 4-2. India beat Switzerland 3-1 to take third place.
"The players were scared stiff of meeting South Africa once again," Egypt's coach, Ali El-Shorbagi, said. "They never forgot the loss in Johannesburg." As a result, El-Shorbagy added, "they forgot all about the tactics we had previously trained at. They looked very hesitant and lost their collective spirit".
photo: Ahmed Abdel-Raziq
"It was wonderful," Douglas Grey, the championship's general manager, said of the five-day tournament. "The field is one of the best in the world. The organisation was perfect." Grey said he would most likely back Egypt should the country bid to stage a world championship.
Mahmoud Barakat, head of the Egyptian Hockey Federation, was philosophical in defeat. "Although we lost, the players benefited a great deal after playing against two distinct styles: European and Asian."
Egypt will be playing in this year's Sydney Olympics after South Africa announced it would not take part. That, according to Barakat, made this tournament all the more important. "It was the first step in the team's preparations for the big event. There is still enough time for the team to correct its faults and improve its style."
