Ismaili goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari said on Sunday he came through a storm unscathed after regaining top form. "The pressure I was subjected to last season was similar to a storm that destroys everything but thankfully I weathered it," Al-Hadari told his official website. The Egypt goalkeeper was heavily criticized for some disappointing displays with the Pharaohs in the World Cup qualifiers. Pundits said he paid the price for moving to Swiss side Sion, the club he joined in February 2008 without the consent of Ahli, and playing in a league that is somewhat uncompetitive. Al-Hadari joined Ismaili in the close season but his early performances were not so promising, conceding six goals in the first three Egyptian Premier League games. He then rediscovered his form and pulled off a string of superb saves to help Ismaili move into second spot in the table behind leaders Ahli.
Al-Hadari is Egypt's regular keeper "I emerged as the winner of this crisis because I did my best for the national team despite the criticism I faced. My adventure with Sion was also successful as I capped it with the Swiss Cup triumph," the 36-year-old goalie added. "All goalkeepers in the world endure difficult spells and I'm no different." Al-Hadari, Egypt's undisputed number one, is not taking his regular place in the team's starting line-up for granted. Egypt coach Hassan Shehata is constantly blamed for not preparing an understudy to the veteran custodian. "Rotation is not common in such a position. Iker Casillas in Spain's regular keeper and Gianluigi Buffon is Italy's regular keeper," he said. "However, I should maintain my good displays to retain my place between the sticks. Nothing is guaranteed."
