9 - 15 August 2001
Issue No.546
|
Al-Ahram Weekly Online 9 - 15 August 2001 Issue No.546 |
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Half-time
Against all odds
Everyone predicted that the European team of the century Real Madrid would take on its African counterpart Ahli to a heavy defeat on Saturday and that Ahli's inexperienced junior players would get lost beneath the legs of the world's most famous and expensive players.
Prior to the game's start, nobody doubted the Spaniards' victory and the loss of the local team. All fans, however, were looking forward to a powerful game; an indulgence in talent, skill, and football passion. Those who did dare to mention the possibility of a Spanish defeat were called dreamers; people with their heads in the clouds.
Ironic, really.
The impossible became possible, the dream a reality, and Ahli acclaimed one of its most spectacular performances in recent times. Despite the historic victory, however, many local fans were disappointed; by the guests performance, that is.
Ahli paid a sizable sum to invite Real Madrid to Cairo to share in its celebrations as the African team of the century. And given that the management insisted in its contract to ensure that the team participates with its full force including its world-class players, as football fans, we expected a tough game.
We expected a unique display from these expensive players; a showcase of world-class talent and field charisma. We, as fans, as Egyptians, wanted them to show us what they are really worth. What the fans got, however, couldn't have been further from what they had expected.
Their excuses were in abundance. Spains' head coach related the defeat and his team's lacklustre play to being exhausted from their three-hour Pyramid tour in the heat of Cairos summer sun and high humidity; adding that his players weren't used to the weather conditions in Egypt. He also pointed an accusing finger to the stadiums below par pitch, saying it prevented his team from really playing their best.
It would be naive to take such words to heart given that the players are known to be the most expensive and talented in the world, and it would be wrong to take such words with any weight, for Real Madrid, after all, is a world-class club with top notch players; professionals trained to play under any circumstances, be it bad weather or unsuitable grounds. Their job last Saturday was to defend their reputation as the best European team under any conditions. One they must look at as a fiasco.
The excuses, hence, should hold no bearing on how Ahli feels about the match. Both the achievement of the team, and the efforts of Ahli's new Portuguese head coach who took the team to victory in his first match after the training camp in Portugal last week must be embraced and applauded. His fingerprints came up all over the game; his courage in pushing onto the pitch his junior players in front of a team such as Real Madrid, is definitely commendable.
It was certainly the unattainable dream turned into reality; the miracle that nobody thought would ever come. It is a miracle, though, which will stick in the players' and fans' minds for years to come; and one which must be kindled as an example of the day that the nation watched a team invent the dream they wanted to live; for a day.
© Copyright Al-Ahram Weekly. All rights reserved
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||
| ARCHIVES Letter from the Editor Editorial Board Subscription Advertise! |
WEEKLY ONLINE: www.ahram.org.eg/weekly Updated every Saturday at 11.00 GMT, 2pm local time weeklyweb@ahram.org.eg |
 Al-Ahram Organisation |
Recommend this page