Almost the best
The Ukraine might have surprised many by winning the world five-a-side football championship. But Egypt pulled off a shocker of its own, reports Inas Mazhar
Egypt nearly produced a miracle win, finishing a wholly unexpected second in the Al-Ahram-sponsored world five-against-five football championship.
Egypt lost to the Ukraine in the final by the slimmest of margins and one of the most heartbreaking ways to lose in football, by way of penalty kicks. The game, played in a specially constructed indoor glass court at the Pyramids plateau, had ended 2-2.
In the spot kicks, Egypt's goalie Ayman Abdel- Rahman saved, Adel Fathi and Sayed Abdel-Naeim scored consecutively and the Ukraine failed in their second attempt. However, Mahmoud Abdel-Hakim and Samir Seif missed in the next two attempts to allow the Ukraine to win 4-2 and take the title.
Egypt opened the score to lead 1-0. The Ukraine levelled minutes later, but the Pharaohs refused to roll over, going ahead 2-1. By half-time, it was 2-2.
Defending champions and world No 1 Brazil dropped to third place, beating arch-rivals Argentina 3-1. The two South American giants were humbled by Egypt and the Ukraine.
The Egyptians had upset Brazil 5-4 in a thrilling semi- final which saw them come from 4-1 down. The Ukraine beat Argentina 2-1 in the other semi-final.
The Ukraine head coach said he was glad his team had won. "The tournament was very tough. It included the six best teams in the world. But from the beginning we were playing for the title. That was our main goal. We wanted to show the world how much we had improved and we did.
"As for the final against the Egyptians, I think it was a top-notch match in which the best of futsal was played. We are pleased with the result we have achieved here in this historic place."
Egypt's head coach Hisham Saleh, who was called up to lead the team just one week before the tournament began, after Emad Suleiman stood down to manage Minya club, said second place was a remarkable achievement. "Nobody expected this. Though we are ranked sixth in the world, it wasn't in the cards."
Saleh previously assisted Suleiman in the world championship in which Egypt came sixth and in the first international championship last year in Cairo when it came fourth.
Saleh said he was forced to use players who had not been playing for a year. "Some of them played in the premier league so it was tough to get them used to futsal again."
Saleh, whose contract has expired, said the Egyptian Football Federation should start preparing for the 2004 World Cup. "There is no time. The African qualifications will be in January. The issue that some players play both football and futsal should be resolved. Some players must choose. Futsal needs full-time players."
