5 - 11 July 2001
Issue No.541
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 5 - 11 July 2001 Issue No.541 |
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History is already made
The under-20 Egyptian football squad made it to the semi-final of the World Youth Cup. Alaa Shahine reports on the history-making feat
Never before has an Egyptian football team advanced so far in a major championship. But there they are. In the semi-final of the World Youth Cup being played in Argentina.
The Dutch helped Egypt go where no Egyptian football side has gone before, the semi-final of a major tournament
(photo: Reuters)
The squad's record-breaking achievement followed a convincing 2-1 defeat of Holland and a shaky start in the tournament. The team began with a disappointing scoreless tie against lowly Jamaica followed by a humiliating 7-1 drubbing against Argentina. But the little Pharaohs had enough composure to down Finland 2-1, blank the United States 2-0 before edging the Dutch. In the semis they will meet Ghana, which edged Brazil 2-1 in one of the tournament's biggest upsets.
Against Holland, ironically coached by Ruud Kroll, a former coach of Egyptian club Zamalek and the senior national team, Egypt came from behind following two brilliant goals by Hussein Amin and Mohamed El-Yamani after Rafael Van Der Vaart blasted the Dutch side into an early lead. Argentine referee Claudio Martin produced eight yellow cards and also sent off Van Der Vaart and John Heitinga as tempers flared.
The Egyptians had gotten off to a roaring start in the city of Rosario as Wael Riad smashed a shot which was barely saved by the Dutch goalie. The same player came close again in the 22nd minute when he made a probing run from the right and sent a cross that glanced the crossbar. The ball landed at the feet of Gamal Hamza who, though all alone, sent a weak shot into the hands of keeper Gino Coutinho.
But Holland drew first blood, in the 33rd minute, after keeper Mohamed Sobhi failed to hold on to Van Der Vaart's easy header as it slipped into the back of his own net. The Dutch side adopted a strict zone defence to protect their lead.
The Egyptian comeback started early in the second half. Defender Hussein Amin made use of sloppy Dutch marking and unleashed a shot which deflected into the net.
In the 55th minute Van Der Vaart was sent off after a second booking. In the 65th minute El-Yamani, who plays for Belgian side Standard Liege, received the ball in the penalty area, avoided two tackles and slotted the ball past Coutinho, making it 2-1.
The rest of the match featured frantic Dutch attempts to level but the Egyptian defence kept their efforts at bay. El-Yamani was close to scoring again, in injury time, but his shot was tipped away by Coutinho.
The Egyptian triumph was some consolation after the senior national team lost 1-0 to Morocco on Saturday in a 2002 World Cup qualifier.
On the same day a golden goal by Ghanaian John Mensah ended Brazil's dream of capturing the title for the fourth time.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina swept to a convincing 3-1 victory over European champions France to continue its quest for a fourth title. Before an estimated 40,000 spectators at the Jose Amalfitani stadium, the hosts took the lead with a powerful shot by the tournament's marvel Javier Saviola just five minutes into the game.
Seconds before half-time, from a free kick from the right, Philippe Mexes met the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and fired it beneath the crossbar to make it 1-1.
But French celebrations lasted only seconds as goalkeeper Penneteau pulled down forward Esteban Herrera and forced a penalty that Saviola coolly fired low into the left corner to make it 2-1 for the hosts.
Saviola sealed the victory six minutes before the end as he weaved his way to the edge of the box, waited for Penneteau to come out before dribbling around him and slotting home. The goal made Saviola the tournament's leading scorer with eight.
Paraguay's 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic gave the South American team the last semi-final berth. Paraguay will next meet Argentina in an all-South American semi-final.
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