Olympic double
For the second consecutive year, Egypt's Olympic football team left Qatar victorious, writes Nashwa Abdel-Tawab
Egypt's Olympic football team made it two in a row, capturing the Qatar International Championship for the second straight year after defeating Japan 1-0. Hossam Ghali scored what would prove the winner nine minutes after the kick-off.
The Japanese played their usual quicksilver game but Egypt kept the ball on the ground in an attempt to slow things down. It succeeded to an extent and coupled that with superior tactics. But fatigue soon set in the Egyptian team which almost cost it.
The game started with early pressure from the Egyptian side which dominated the midfield from the start thanks to midfielders Ghali, Abu-Mosallam, Mohamed Abdel-Wahed and Sameh El-Saqqa.
Egypt got the perfect start when Ghali scored from a Abu-Mosallam assist.
In the 30th minute, Ghali sent a low pass to Reda Shehata who advanced into the right side of the area and fired with his right to try to double the score. However, the ball went into the side netting.
Near the end of the first half, it was Japan's turn to put on the pressure. In the 40th minute, a corner kick was swung high into Egypt's area. Mohamed Sobhi parried but the ball almost went in except that Abu-Mosallam cleared off the line.
Coach Shawqi Gharib made a double substitution at the half, bringing in Ahmed Samir and Wael Riad in place of Mohamed Abdullah and rookie striker Sameh El-Saqqa. The changes were meant to solidify the defence, with counterattacks launched by captain Reda Shehata on the right wing and Ahmed Abu-Mosallam on the left.
Japan almost tied towards the end but Daishi's long-range effort was thwarted by the crossbar.
Mohamed Abdel-Wahed was picked the game's MVP.
Egypt reached the final after topping Group B. It beat China and Norway and drew 1-1 with Brazil. In the semi-final against the Czech Republic, Egypt was reduced to nine men after strikers Gamal Hamza and Mohamed Mohsen Abu-Gresha were sent off. But the 0-0 score was enough for the young Pharaohs to reach the final because of their superior goal difference. Brazil came third after defeating China 3-2.
