Egyptian Olympic team thrashed ten-man Gambia 4-0 in Alexandria on Sunday to reach the second qualifying stage of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Abdullah Al-Saied and Ahmed Magdi sent Egypt to the locker room with a two-goal lead before Ahmed Ghanem and Hossam Osama added another two after the interval. The result lift Egypt to the second round of qualifiers where they will play a two-legged tie in March. The winners will advance to the group stage that qualifies to the prestigious sporting event. The guests implemented an airtight defensive strategy until the 28th minute when they lost Osman Koly with a straight red card after a harsh challenge on Osama. Al-Saied broke the deadlock after just five minutes when he curled home a smart shot from the edge of the area. Seven minutes later, Magdi who plays for Greek side Panionios, put Egypt two up with a long-range bullet that left the keeper helpless. Ghanem made it three in the 56th minute when he penetrated the area from the right flank before his low cross deflected off a Gambian defender into the back of the net. Genjlerbirliyi Sumgayit's Ghanem launched another raid from the right and crossed on the floor to Osama, who easily sidefooted the ball home.
