Egypt's anti-drug body launches new awareness phase in Maspero Triangle    Agiba Petroleum starts production from Arcadia-28 at 4,100 BOE/day    Minister El-Shimy pushes for stronger returns, partnerships in real estate, construction sectors    Apparel, textile chambers engage with Chinese delegation to explore investment opportunities in Egypt    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Obama calls for aid access to Gaza, says 'no justification' for withholding food    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Egypt's SCZONE eyes deeper investment, port digitalisation ties with Singapore    Egypt's gold prices slip slightly on July 28th    Egypt's Housing Min. reviews HDP marketing plan    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Algeria win but Egypt maintain hope
Published in Daily News Egypt on 12 - 10 - 2009

CAIRO: Algeria claimed a 3-1 home victory over Rwanda which was not enough to virtually secure their place in the World Cup as Egypt maintained their hope of booking a place at next year s South Africa finals.
Egypt assistant coach Hamada Sedki stated that Egypt had a substantial chance of reaching the World Cup. Now Egypt has a bigger motive to defeat Algeria, especially that we will host the game, Sedki told FilGoal.com.
The hosts were stunned when Mafisango Mutesa fired Rwanda in front after 20 minutes but Abdelkader Ghezzal leveled the score shortly after.
Two-second half goals from Nadir Belhadj and Karim Ziani, who converted a penalty in the dying seconds, earned Algeria all three points but the Group C race will still go down to the wire.
Algeria have 13 points, three ahead of second-placed Egypt with one match remaining. They also boast a four-goal advantage over the Pharaohs, whom they face in Cairo in their last game.
A 3-0 victory for Egypt will see them progress to the World Cup due to a better goal difference.
If Egypt beat Algeria by a two-goal margin, either a draw or a play-off game will determine the group winners because they will become equal in goal difference, goals scored and head-to-head record.
Algeria need to win, draw or lose by a one-goal margin to ensure they would become one of Africa s representatives at the most important FIFA tournament.
A pulsating opening saw Algeria spurn two golden opportunities inside the first 12 minutes.
Ghezzal was picked out by a neat Ziani cross from the right but headed wide with the goal at his mercy after nine minutes while Rafik Saifi was unlucky to see his volley strike the post three minutes later.
Rwanda scored against the run of play to stun the home crowd on 20 minutes, thanks to a deflected shot by Mutesa.
Algeria continued to pile on pressure and they were finally rewarded just two minutes later when Rwanda keeper Jean-Luc Ndayishimiye s misjudgment allowed Ghezzal to head home Ziani s free-kick.
They were harshly denied a second goal few minutes before the break when Antar Yahia s close-range effort, after another blunder from Ndayishimiye, looked to have crossed the line.
However, the ball was controversially adjudged not to have crossed the line by the referee.
Algeria made amends just before the half-time whistle after Belhadj rifled a low cross into the roof of the net from seven yards out to give his side the lead.
The Desert Foxes struggled to break down Rwanda s defense in the second half but were awarded a valid penalty when Karim Matmour was felled in the area deep into stoppage time.
Ziani stepped up to convert the penalty and ensure Algeria s victory.
The ball is in our court now, and I m convinced that we can realize our dream, Sedki added.


Clic here to read the story from its source.