Pharaohs maintain perfect record

Football | Africa

 

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Egypt maintained their 100 perfect record in the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifiers when they defeated Guinea 4-2 on Tuesday afternoon at the El Gouna Stadium to finish top of their group with a maximum 15 points.

The Pharoahs started the match off on a bad note as they conceded a fourth minute own goal through Adam El Abd. After going behind to that own goal, Egypt regained control of the game, though Guinea were remaining resolute.

On the half hour mark the North Africans could have taken the lead when a free-kick whipped in from the right touchline by Mahmoud Abdelrazek looked to be creeping in, but Guinea goalkeeper Naby Yattara got down quickly to claw it off the line
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The Egyptians finally found the back of the net when they drew level in the 38th minute. Ghaly volleyed home after a Aboutrika free-kick was played back into the box, after being blocked, and the ball fell to the midfielder's feet. His volley fond the bottom corner superbly, leaving Yattara no chance.
Three minutes into the second half Egypt were awarded a penalty after a goal-bound shot was blocked inside the 18-yard Guinea captain Kamil Zayatte which the referee adjudged to have struck an arm. That action also resulted in Zayatte being given his marching orders.

After a three minute wait, Aboutrika thumped the ball home to put Egypt ahead even though Yattara could have done better - having got a hand to the spot kick.
Egypt’s joy was short lived when Soumah equalised for the ten men of Guinea seven minutes later.
Egypt reclaimed the lead in the 84th minute. Ahmed Fathi fed Aboutrika on the edge of the Guinea area, and the veteran superstar found Salah who took the ball in his stride, rounded off Yattara and slotted into the open net for a goal worthy of winning any game.

It was game over two minutes before the 90th minute when Sakho put the ball into his own net. Aboutrika slipped in Amr Zaki, and his drive across goal was turned into his own net by Sakho to make it one own goal apiece, but 4-2 to Egypt on the day.