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Olympics 2000
Sydney - The
African Qualification
GROUP
C match:
Egypt
- Côte d'Ivoire 2 : 1
Feb 27, 2000
Before
the match:
With Morocco winning both
are under pressure to gain maximum points. To eye the second place seems
senseless as for example group A teams already have an edge - there had
been no draws yet
1st
half:
-('2) first dangerous attack
by Côte d'Ivoire but the 18 meter strike misses close
-('6) Egypt have taken over
with some fine passing
-('20) it is a fast, entertaining
match in which both teams display their high level skills and create a
number of half chances
-('22) Egypt scores by
#9 - 1:0, it is a sensational goal, a long ball into the penalty area and
from about 13 meters, the player, with the back to the goal, stops the
ball with his chest and directly unleashes a spectacular overhead kick
into the net
-('35) Egypt: #13 hits the
outside of the net from the left hand side
-('43) CIV: dangerous header
opportunity after free kick from the right hand side
Halftime
1:0
Egypt looking inspired before
and after the goal, have gained confidence, while the Ivorians looked more
inspired before the goal and now have difficulties playing through teh
Egyptian defence. They will have to take some chanecs in the second half
and open up for Egyptian counter attacks
2nd
half:
-('53) an unlucky goal
against the Ivorians: it is #9 again with a harmless looking header from
16 meters - but the ball suddenly falls down, squeezing between the keepers
hand and the crossbar into the goal - 2:0
-('56) CIV: big opportunity
but ball rolls centimeters wide
-('58) This time the Ivorian
keepr masters a dangerous shot from 18 meters (again by #9 ?)
-('73) some Ivorians look
discouraged and Egypt have two good chances, one saved one missing close
-('75) CIV: #9, who has
just come on, scores by a header after a corner - 2:1
Ivorians desperately
need a draw, Egypt a win
-('81) CIV play themselves
through with neat passing but #13 (just in as a substitute hits only the
outside of the net from close range
the Ivorians have started
to believe again and play out some half chances, now both look a bit nervous
Final
2:1
The momentum created by
the goals played an important role. In the first 20 minutes both had looked
equally strong. The Ivorian goal came too late. Considering both matches,
Egypt has been looking more stabile. It is a pity not all three teams (Morocco,
Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire) can go to Sydney. The Ivorians only have a
theoretical chance: they have to hope for a draw between Egypt and Morocco
in the next match or/and some help by Tunisia against Egypt in the last
match. And of couse they will have to win both remaining matches themselves.
Morocco (among other possibilities)
can qualify by a win at Egypt or a draw and a win against Côte d'Ivoire.
Egypt will need another
success in their home match against Morocco or in case of a draw will have
to relay on Ivorian help.
Morocco |
4 |
8-6 |
9 |
Egypt |
4 |
7-6 |
7 |
Côte d'Ivoire |
4 |
9-7 |
5 |
Tunisia |
4 |
4-9 |
1 |
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