Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Egypt's PM reviews debt reduction strategy, eyes more private investment    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt, India discuss expanding industrial, investment partnerships    World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Egyptian pound ticks down in early Tuesday trading    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt exports 175K tons of food in one week    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, Uruguay eager to expand trade across key sectors    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    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    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.



Egypt savior Meteb seeks another World Cup fairytale
Published in Daily News Egypt on 18 - 11 - 2009

JOHANNESBURG: Emad Meteb wants to complete a fairytale return to international football Wednesday by leading Egypt to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The predator from Cairo club Al-Ahly scored five minutes into stoppage time last Saturday and clinched a 2-0 victory over Algeria that forced a play-off in the normally sweltering Sudanese city of Omdurman.
He donned the red shirt of the Pharaohs for the first time since March a week earlier and scored twice in a friendly rout of Tanzania to signal he had lost none of his penalty-area prowess.
Coach Hassan Shehata introduced him as a second-half substitute for Amr Zaki against the Desert Foxes and his looping header left the bitter North African rivals level in Group C on points and goal difference.
Egyptians were depressed as the match went into stoppage time, but not me. This was the most precious goal of my career and I m sure we can defeat Algeria again and realize our World Cup dream, Meteb told reporters.
The battle to join South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria at the first World Cup to be staged in Africa has been overshadowed by off-field violence with dozens injured amid a flurry of accusations.
Several Algerian footballers were hurt after the team bus was stoned en route from Cairo airport to a hotel and a similar fate befell some visiting supporters following the game.
Reprisals included attacks on Egyptians and their property in Algeria and clashes between natives of both countries in the French cities of Grenoble, Lyon and Marseille.
Egypt, who have won three and drawn two of six previous World Cup clashes against Algeria, believe the momentum triggered by the Cairo triumph can carry them to glory at the Al-Merreikh Stadium.
I m sure we will qualify for the World Cup now, boasted Ahmed Eid, another second-half substitute who made a telling contribution by delivering the cross that led to Meteb scoring.
Veteran defender Abdel-Zaher Al-Saqqa, recalled at 35 in place of the suspended Wael Gomaa, added: We are on the right track and there is one last game we have to win.
While Algerian officials, coaches and footballers remain furious at their treatment in the Egyptian capital, midfielder Karim Ziani believes that beyond the grey clouds lies a silver lining.
We lost the game, but not our chance of qualifying for South Africa. Defeat has definitely taken a toll on us and it was painful to see Egypt capitalize on two defensive lapses.
However, we are a united group confident of our capabilities and are motivated by our extraordinary supporters and not money, stressed the star from German champions Wolfsburg.
Algeria have reportedly been offered $ 300,000 a man to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986 and Egypt $ 200,000 to qualify after a 19-year absence.
A FIFA spokesman in Switzerland said extra time would be played if the teams finish level after 90 minutes and should deadlock remain, a penalty shoot-out will settle the outcome.


Clic here to read the story from its source.