A Hossam Hassan header earned Egypt a place in the 1990 World Cup finals at the expense of Algeria to spark wild celebrations in the football-mad country. A similar scenario appears in the cards 20 years later. On November 17 in 1989, Egypt's all-time leading scorer Hassan, now a manager and a TV analyst, connected with a cross from fellow striker Ahmed Al-Kass to head home after five minutes and give the team a memorable win at Cairo Stadium. A then success-starved Egypt side made their second World Cup appearance in the 1990 tournament in Italy, having made their debut in 1934. "The early goal mounted pressure on Algeria. They also failed to handle the fans' pressure afterwards," Hassan, who played for Cairo giants Ahli and Zamalek among other Egyptian clubs in his glorious career, said. "We need a similar one in the upcoming clash (November 14). Such early goals affect the opposition's morale and increase our confidence." Egypt might be in dire need of that early goal as they have to beat Algeria by a three-goal margin to qualify directly for next year's South Africa finals. A win by a two-goal margin will set up a playoff meeting with the Desert Foxes, who last reached the football's most prestigious event in 1986. Similarities In 1989, a star-studded Egypt side overcame an Algerian team who boasted the likes of Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi to send the home fans into raptures and make history. "It was the best Algerian team in history," renowned presenter and Egyptian FA spokesman Medhat Shalabi commented.
Egypt impressed against Holland Hassan, one of the youngest Egypt players at that time, rose to prominence but he was helped by a host of high-profile footballers at coach Mahmoud Al-Gohari's disposal like Magdi Abdul-Ghani, Ahmed Ramzi and Ismail Youssef. This crop of players put in a memorable display against then European champions Holland at the World Cup, holding them to a 1-1 draw when it looked even possible to beat the Ruud Gullit-led team at Palermo's Renzo Barbera Stadium. Egypt's current generation is not short in quality or experience either, having won back-to-back Nations Cup titles in 2006 and 2008 as well as stunning world champions Italy with a 1-0 victory in the Confederations Cup in June. "Those players are continuing what we started to do," Hesham Yakan, a former central defender who was part of Egypt's 1990 World Cup squad, said. "They have what it takes to beat Algeria and reach the World Cup. They have great technical abilities." Egyptian fans are also deriving good omens from other aspects than footballing matters. Numerous TV campaigns broke out to support the national team amid an unprecedented state of enthusiasm among people, but there was a one designed especially to draw comparisons between the 1989 Egypt-Algeria clash and the 2009 one. "We did in 89 and will do it again," read the title of a carbonated drink campaign that brought many fans who were present in the stands during the 89 clash to speak about their experiences during that day. "History repeats itself. The same match, the same stadium, the same opposition, the same month and we must win to reach the World Cup," they said while wearing shirts written on it 'I was there in 1989'. They will be hoping to witness the same outcome on November 14.
