Two second-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Burdisso helped Argentina claim a 2-0 victory over Egypt in a friendly game at Cairo Stadium on Wednesday. Aguero broke the deadlock six minutes after the hour and Burdisso ensured Argentina's victory five minutes from time. The match came as a part of both teams' preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. There were mixed reactions from the home fans over Essam Al-Hadari's presence on the pitch. Some cheered and supported the Ahli goalie while others chanted angry slogans against him for trying to join Swiss side Sion without his club's approval. Argentina were better in the first ten minutes and were largely helped by Egypt's too many mis-placed passes in midfield. The visitors had the first effort through Lucho Gonzalez after one minute. The Porto midfielder escaped his marker and controlled a deft pass inside Egypt's area but drilled wide of the post. The Argentineans overcame Egypt players in every corner kick but couldn't capitalize on the resulting free headers. Argentina's best chance fell to Maxi Rodriguez in the 12th minute when he took advantage of a Mohamed Shawky error. The midfielder's poor clearance hit the chest of Maxi, who chipped over the advancing Al-Hadari but Hani Saied managed to clear the ball after a perfectly-timed interception. The Pharaohs began to find their rhythm afterwards and dominated possession, but rarely tested keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.
Coach Shehata Egypt's only chance came in the 34th minute when Mohamed Zidan intercepted Abbondanzieri's poor pass and tried to lob the Getafe keeper, who scrambled backward to handle the ball. Argentina Opener Mohamed Abou-Treika should have put Egypt ahead two minutes past the hour when he was picked out unmarked by Ahmed Fathi's squared pass across the goal. However, the Ahli playmaker's poor close-range shot was easily collected by Abbondanzieri. Egypt were made to pay for the missed chance four minutes later when Aguero opened the scoring for Argentina. The Atletico Madrid youngster caught Saied napping to latch onto a long ball and go one-on-one with Al-Hadari before slamming the ball into the roof of the net. A blunder from Al-Hadari five minutes from time allowed Burdisso to double Argentina's lead. The Inter Milan defender received a free-kick at the back post with a looping header that went past Al-Hadari, who should have done better to parry the ball. Watch the first goal Watch the second goal
