The American coach got off to a stumbling start in his debut, reports Inas Mazhar In a friendly international football match, Brazil beat Egypt 2-0 at the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium of Al Rayyan Club in Doha, Qatar. According to the Qatar News Agency, the match was an initiative of the Qatar Football Federation, with its income going to famine relief in Somalia. Brazil's midfielder Jonas Oliveira scored twice to secure the victory for his side. Top of FormBottom of Form Page 1 of 1 The Valencia striker struck in the 39th and 59th minutes. It was Brazil's second victory in a row, having beaten Gabon 2- 0 last week in another friendly. It was the first test for the former United States coach Bob Bradley. And it was a tough one. To meet five-time World Cup champions Brazil in his debut with Egypt was not easy, but the American needed this game in order to become more acquainted with his players. Though Egypt played poorly -- nothing like the thrilling 4-3 loss to Brazil in the 2009 Confederation Cup -- the game in Qatar produced some promising players, including defender Mohamed Hegazi and goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawi who was the man of the match on the Egyptian side despite conceding two goals. Egypt is scheduled to host Brazil in Cairo in February. Bradley coached the US from late 2006 until he was fired in July following a 4-2 loss to Mexico in the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann. Bradley was hired by Egypt in September to succeed Hassan Shehata, who led Egypt to three straight African Cup titles but failed to qualify for next year's tournament. Bradley started officially with Egypt in October but was not in charge of the remaining two games which concluded the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications. Head coach of the Olympic team Hani Ramzi was at the helm. Before the match, Bradley was criticised by Egyptian football fans, especially Ahli supporters, for leaving out the team's magician Mohamed Abu Treika. But the American had a point. Watching Abu Treika recently, he believed the superstar was not at his peak. And Abu Treika commented that his was a challenge for him to make a comeback. Though Egypt's famed goalkeeper Essam El-Hadari was suspended by his current club Merrikh of Sudan, Bradley had called him up anyway. El-Hadari, 38, has been in dispute with his club for, aiming at another move. He has not played for several months but Sudanese officials were stunned when the Egyptian Association stood beside the player and included him in the lineup. The Sudan Association suspended him in an effort to prevent him from playing against Brazil -- and it worked. The highlight of the match was when Egypt team captain Ahmed Hassan equaled the world record for most international appearances when he stepped onto the pitch as a substitute in the 73rd minute. Hassan, 36, joins former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammad Al-Deayea on 178 matches and is almost a sure bet to break the record. Hassan was three games behind the Saudi goalkeeper but joining the Olympic team against Niger and Sierra Leone proved in good stead. "While thanking those who questioned my level of performance and said I was included in the national team only to achieve a personal goal, I believe that the selection decision must be based only on my performances at the club level," the Zamalek player Hassan told AP after the match. Hassan played in seven Africa Cup of Nations Cup tournaments, winning four in 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He was voted best player in 2006 and 2010. Meanwhile, Egypt is preparing for an attempt to reach its first World Cup since 1990. The Pharaohs were drawn in an African second-round group with Comoros, Guinea, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. On paper, it should be a piece of cake for the Egyptians. But that's what was said the last time.
