On July 21 2001, Egypt failed to qualify for the World Cup after being held to a draw by Algeria, in a game that is only remembered for a shock miss by Mohamed Emara. As Egypt needed a comprehensive victory to surpass leaders Senegal on goal difference, the Pharaohs didn't even manage to close a two-point gap in the final round in Annaba. Early on, a powerful freekick by Mido was saved by the keeper, who was completely out of play when Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa brilliantly managed to dink the ball into the path of two free Egypt players. Abdul-Hamid Bassiouni was first but couldn't reach the ball, and then was Emara with all the time in the world, from one yard out and in front of a huge target. But the former Hansa Rostock man, regarded as one of the best-ever to fill in the left-back position for Egypt, shockingly skied the ball high. Egypt took the lead through a Mido penalty in the 60th minute but Yassin Bezzaz leveled to end Mahmoud Al-Gohari's hopes of reaching another World Cup. Emara miss Mido penalty
