Egypt revived their hopes of reaching the 2010 World Cup, Ahmed Morsy reports Egypt kept their 2010 World Cup hopes alive after beating Rwanda 3-0 in Cairo on Sunday. After gaining only one point from two previous games -- a draw with Zambia and a loss to Algeria -- the six-time African champions needed to win all their remaining four games starting with Rwanda. The win lifts Egypt to second place in Group C with four points from three games, three behind leaders Algeria. Egypt are tied with Zambia with four points each. Rwanda are at the bottom of the table with just one point. Three matches remain for every team. In the first half, there was no sense of urgency shown by the Egypt side during a lacklustre performance. Egypt did look keen on scoring early and their first wasted chance came in the fifth minute. Mohamed Shawki headed Hosni Abd-Rabou's ball towards Wa'el Gomaa but the latter blazed over from point blank range. In the 16th minute, Abd-Rabou failed to capitalise on the Rwandan keeper Jean-Claude Ndori's blunder after Ndori dropped Ahmed El-Muhammadi's cross inside the box. Mohamed Zidan was unlucky to see his left-foot shot go over after the Borussia Dortmund man collected another Muhammadi cross from the right flank. Time was ticking away for Egypt coach Hassan Shehata, who hoped to take the lead by bringing on debutante striker Ahmed Raouf in Shawki's place on 40 minutes. The best chance of the half fell to Rwanda when Harouna Niyonzima was clear through on Essam El-Hadari before the midfielder's chip went inches over the bar. In the second half, Egypt scored three goals. But before that, Zidan could have broken the deadlock after another delightful Muhammadi cross found him unmarked, but the forward's effort was kept out by Ndori. In the 65th minute, Mohamed Abu Treika finally scored and ended his team's jinx by heading Abd-Rabou's cross in the back of the net. Egypt were awarded a penalty 15 minutes from time when Raouf was brought down in the area by Ndori. Abd-Rabou stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way. In the last minute of injury time, Abu Treika completed his brace after a successful counter attack by substitute Ahmed Eid who was squared to the Ahli man for an easy tap in. After the game Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib said his players did well against Rwanda despite the exhaustion they are suffering from. The Rwanda clash came less than two weeks after Egypt's participation in the Confederations Cup, and Gharib said the packed schedule had taking its toll on the players. "We have had a schedule jammed with very important games over the last 13 months," Gharib said after the game. "The players also put so much effort in the Confederations Cup that it's normal if fatigue affected their display tonight." Gharib added that his players had to cope with enormous pressure prior to and during the game. "Rwanda drew 0-0 with Algeria and narrowly lost 1-0 to Zambia, so we can be happy with beating them by three goals," Gharib continued. Rwanda coach Branko Tucak said that Nigerian referee Emmanuel Imiere was largely responsible for his team's 3-0 win to Egypt. "There was no justice today," the Croatian tactician said after the game. Tucak, who called Egypt a "great" team, argued that his players did enough to at least earn a point from the clash. "Our attackers were not lucky in converting the chances they had," he added. "Despite the defeat, we will never lose our dream of making the World Cup." The next encounter is scheduled for 5 September. Egypt will play Rwanda in Kigali while Algeria host Zambia the same day. After drawing with Zambia and losing to Algeria, Egypt had to beat Rwanda and also win their next three games to have any chance of qualifying for 2010. The current African champions are now second in Group C with four points, leading Zambia on goal difference.
