Egypt plays Libya in Tripoli tomorrow in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Nashwa Abdel-Tawab sheds light on past encounters between the two Egypt's national football team prepares to meet Libya in the fifth round of Group C African qualifications for the 2006 World Cup, knowing a loss for either side will seriously dent chances of making an appearance in soccer's showpiece event. The two countries have seven points apiece after four games, two points behind the leaders Ivory Coast but Egypt is ahead of Libya in the group standings on goal difference. In its previous matches, Egypt beat Sudan and Cameroon, drew with Benin and lost to the Ivory Coast. The Libyans lie fourth in the group also after two wins, one defeat and one draw. Egypt and Libya have met 14 times and Egypt has won 10 of those meetings. It has also tied once and lost three times. While the lion's share of victories goes to Egypt, the last two encounters have ended in wins for the Libyans. They beat Egypt 2- 0 in their home ground in March 2001 in an African qualifier. In August 2002, Libya again beat Egypt 1-0 away in a friendly. Egypt's manager Marco Tardelli is optimistic about an away victory in Tripoli. "I have a young team with a fighting spirit capable of winning matches," Tardelli told a press conference. The former Italian midfield star has been depending more on local talent rather than the pros abroad and it has paid off, as seen in the Cameroon match when Egypt beat the Indomitable Lions 3-2. Still, the four professional players, Beshir El- Tabei, Abdel-Zaher El-Saqqa, Hossam Ghali and Ahmed Hassan, joined the training camp in Cairo. Libya has intensified its preparations ahead of the showdown with the Pharaohs. Skipper Tareq El-Taib has been recalled to bolster the line-up. El- Taib, who plays for Gaziantepspor in Turkey, is one of 19 players called up. He missed Libya's last match against Benin through suspension. The Libyans recorded a comfortable 4-1 victory in that match. Coach Mohamed Al-Khemisi has also added Akram Al-Hamali, who plays for Tunisian club Avenir Sportive Marsa. Two notable absentees are Ahmed Al-Masli, the country's top scorer in the campaign thus far with four goals, and Gehad Montaser who has club commitments in Italy. "We're ready for the Egyptians and we'll show them how good we are when we meet," said Al- Khemisi. On Sunday, Cameroon will face Benin in Cotonou and Ivory Coast will meet Sudan in Abidjan.
