Egypt 1 – Mali 0: Sweeper needed!!

January 5th, 2010 | by: Tamim |

luckyoliver-1127573-medium-job_hunting1[1] To be honest, this wasn’t a comforting display by our boys; given that the Malians weren’t fielding their best eleven and even those who played were tired after 3 games in Qatar, we should have done better than that; however, the game had some very positives gains that we must stress on.

The main lesson we learn from this game is that 4-4-2 is a complete failure for us; we sucked every time we had to defend, every ball seemed very dangerous, crosses and free kicks continued to be a headache for us; all tactical problems that can be reduced with a good and in-form sweeper.

The thing is that, Nigerian and Mozambican players are fast, at least faster than our defenders, so with this rate we shall expect a lot of goals conceded.

Conventionally, when using 4-4-2, both wings has to do their defensive duties which neither Moawad nor El Mohammadi do because they are most of the time in attack leaving vast open spaces behind them; Ahmed Hassan and Fathi aren’t that good at covering for them since Hassan isn’t physically able to perform this role that’s why he is usually used in Al Ahly as an attacking midfielder while on the other side Fathi isn’t a midfielder and Moawad is slow and old, he can’t keep going back and forth.

Moawad also is suffering from Abu Treika’s absence; the injured playmaker used to form with him an unbeatable couple that always remained the key for most of our goals; now, no one approaches Moawad when he is in attack and so he is forced to go one-on-one, which he isn’t good at; unfortunately, Shikabala isn’t an answer because he himself leans toward the left side of the field so we end with 3 players in the same place.

In attack, Meteb clearly can’t do the role of the sole striker alone, he needs support from behind and near him, Zidan had to go back and get the ball leaving Meteb alone although he lacks the speed and physical strength to face defenders alone.

Zidan behind a second striker with Meteb will get the job done; however, two midfielders, not including Fathi, would provide the support needed since Fathi isn’t originally a midfielder and he is terrible in moving the ball forward.

The good side is that we have a bright new prospect of a star in Mohamed Nagi Geddo who scored a brilliant goal from a wide range shot; the significance of the goal comes from the fact that he is Mido’s substitute and for Shehata’s luck he was the scorer of the game’s winner, that’s why Shehata celebrated him much.

We also created many chances in the first half, we were good at pressuring Mali’s defense forcing them to commit mistakes; however, our finishing needs work.

Overall, the game was better than Malawi’s and we got the chance to put ourselves to the test in front of a good and fast side like Mali; the game helped in restoring some of the lost chemistry between players.

Watch Geddo’s goal

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Comments

By MoMONEY | January 6th, 2010 at 1:50 pm

Good that confidence is on the rise… When does the tournament actually start? Can you link to a schedule when it gets closer?? Thanks a lot tamim

Posted from United States

By Tamim | January 6th, 2010 at 3:38 pm

Mo: a super-duper preview of Egypt’s campaign is on the way, friday maximum; the tournament starts next sunday and we play Nigeria on the 13th

By Afshin Afshar | January 6th, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Good win for Egypt, congrads Tamim. Also nicely written post.

Questions: 1) Is it abu Triqa or abu Trika? is it “kaaf” or “ghaaf”?

2) Can you post some information about your coach. I have seen him on Egypt’s sidelines for what seems to be a very long time, but I do not know much about him.

Thanks and good luck with the next game

Posted from United States

By Hany | January 6th, 2010 at 5:13 pm

I’m back! After a very long period of grieving from that sour loss back in November! Now I’m officially over it and ready for some more Egyptian football. I’m predicting a semi-final for us isa atleast. We always do bad in friendly matches before the tournament and I see now isn’t any different. A draw with Malawi and a narrow win against Mali is bad enough for me. Now let’s kick some Nigerian ass (respect to our Nigerian bros out there) and top our group. I find it amazing that we have no good attackers in our squad and we’ll need a miracle to win it with awful met3eb upfront. But we’re behind our team nonetheless. Ya rab el nasr!

By Ned | January 6th, 2010 at 5:28 pm

Egyptians keep living in the past. This players careers are behind them and they know it. The public will have a hard awakening in this African cup. My guess is Egypt out the first round (although I don’t wish it) with 2 defeats and one draw. Who wants to bet?

By Tamim | January 6th, 2010 at 5:52 pm

Afshin: 1- it is kaaf “Abu Treika”

2- Hassam Shehata is a former Zamalek player during the 1970s and early 80s, he is one of the most celebrated club legends, he was awarded the best football player in asia (the only egyptian to recieve this award), he used to coach second division clubs in egypt, he lead “Arab Contractors” team while in second division to win Egyptian cup and super cup beating both Cairo giants AL-Ahly and Zamalek.

he took over the NT in 2004 as a temporary coach after Marco Tardelli was fired, his good results helped him keep his seat, he won in 2006 and 2008.

you may notice he is very nervous and his celebrations seems to be overreacting but this is due to heavy media attacks that he always recieve even after winning all these titles.

this is, very briefly, Hassan Shehata

thanks for your comment.

Hany: welcome back, nice to see you returning to the discussion.

Ned: thanks for your comment, but no one said anything about winning this title

By stone | January 7th, 2010 at 3:30 am

thanks for your report

By Kazi | January 7th, 2010 at 4:31 am

Good luck Egypt. I’m sure that no matter how many players you lose you will still have the experience to do well in the ACN. Maybe Algeria and Egypt can meet, but I’d rather we didn’t. I’ve spoken to a few nigerians who feel that they will trounce you guys, but I’m sure you’ll teach them for underestimating you.

By Hany | January 7th, 2010 at 6:23 am

Ned, your opinions and views are welcome here, you can say all you want about our national team and say how bad you think we are… anything. But things such as “Egyptians keep living in the past.” are not something we are going to tolerate, shove your false claims up your behind, no-one’s said anything about winning but we expect to reach the quarters atleast.

Kazi, thank you for your comment and goodluck for both of us, but I would like to know why you would rather not face us since you Algerians keep claiming that you are better than us? Thanks.

By Super eagle | January 7th, 2010 at 11:38 am

Good luck my african brothers.But only after the Nigeria game.Sorry. we have much respect for the Egyptian side but to be honest with out the great abu treka and zaki and mido i really don’t think you have a chance against the super eagles. we do not sit in the box and play defence we will give you a constant barage of attacks. i think you will advance to the next round perhaps a semi final appearance… Good luck after tuesday that is….LOL

By Hany | January 7th, 2010 at 1:14 pm

Ned, grow up.
Super Eagles, thanks for your comment, Good Luck to Nigeria as well, I’m looking forward to our match and hope the best team wins.

By Kazi | January 7th, 2010 at 1:30 pm

Hany, Lol, I don’t want egypt and algeria to meet, not because you’re better than us, but because I just don’t want that kind of tension resurfacing again, when the stakes are much higher.

By Ghanim | January 7th, 2010 at 3:04 pm

hey tamim we play nigeria on 12th not the 13th by the way..:)
its good to see all our nigerian brothers commenting here and taking us as a respectfull oppenent
unlike others (ned)

By Tamim | January 7th, 2010 at 4:43 pm

yeah Ghanim, i was about to correct my mistake; the thing is, i have an exam on the 13th so it mixed up with me

Kazi: thanks for your comment

Ned: until you grow up, as Hany said, i will delete your comment.

Super Eagle: thanks for your comment and best of luck for you too.

By David | January 8th, 2010 at 6:18 am

Hi Tamim i would just like to say that your reports are great i am a 13 year old from Australia ans i am still trying to get over the loss from Algeria and i always say if only Barakat finished it in Cairo but he didnt… and Algeria went through but Egypt is still a great team and 80,000,000 will still be looking for the African Cup to make up for the dissapointment. Anyway I really enjoy your reports and I can’t believe that you are in college lol. Can’t wait till the 12th (13th for us)

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