Out cold
Egypt took an early shower in the five-a-side football world championship, reports
Abeer Anwar
When Egypt rolled over hosts Chinese Taipei 12-0 in the opening game of the World Futsal Championship, it was thought to be the start of something big in this small version of football. But that was all she would write as the Pharaohs crashed out of the tournament, from in fact the first round.
Egypt was Africa's sole representative at this, the fifth futsal tournament of its kind, being played from 21 November to 2 December. Now, there will be none. After their blitz against newcomers Chinese Taipei, Egypt fell 5-4 to Ukraine, the European champion, after leading 3-0. But the Ukraine put five consecutive goals past Egypt for the win.
Then came Spain, the world champion when it comes to regular football at least, and the result was never in doubt: Egypt on the wrong end of a 7- 0 whipping.
Coach Mohamed Ali could do little but attribute the team's ouster to the strong group it was playing in.
In other games, in the quarter-finals, the Brazilian momentum took them to a 6-0 rout of Ukraine. The experience of the South Americans said it all.
Brazil are trying to recapture the trophy they lost to Spain in Guatemala 2000.
Argentina beat the US 2-1. The US were without Greg Howes, who had a lower back problem, but the Argentines had just a little too much futsal know-how for them.
Spain started the first round with a gritty 2-0 win over Ukraine and it was the same story and score against the Czech Republic. Spain had 35 shots -- they certainly created enough chances -- but had trouble breaking down the stiff Czech resistance. Both goals came from Spain's No 7 Javi Rodriguez.
The first ever 0-0 draw in the history of the championships was in Italy- Portugal match. The unique tie probably left Portugal's Orlando Duarte the happier coach. His side were under pressure in the first half but grew stronger as the match went on.
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