|
With two Pharaohs at Tottenham, Spurs fans must be
starting to feel an Egyptian influence hitting them.
But Mido is the more renowned of the two at Spurs, so
here's something especially for the Yids. EgyptianPlayers.com
bring you everything you need to know about the career
of new signing Hossam Ghaly.
Read also:
In Your Own Time:
EgyptianPlayers.com is the largest, and indeed the only
database on Egyptian footballers playing in Europe.
Obviously, not everything is covered in this article.
So to see Ghaly's efforts and goals - rare as they are
- check the multimedia page, and for news and views
about him since 2003, the time when he was setting off
for European football, check his very page. Match reports
are there, as well as interviews.
Ghaly's Story:
Promising Egyptian:
Hossam Ghaly's journey has been a long one already.
He's had ups and downs, but throughout has proven to
be a model professional.
Born in December 1981, Ghaly was a youth player at
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly but tasted action in the 2000-2001
season.
In 2001, the Egyptian Under-20s triumphed in the Youth
World Cup, finishing third and meriting the bronze medal.
Hossam played in 5 of the games, including a convincing
quarter final win against a strong Holland side. Javier
Saviola was the star of the tournament, and managed
a move to Barcelona straight after it. Eyes were opened
to some of Egypt's bright youngsters, and Hossam was
obviously one of them.
The medals increased for Ghaly, as Al-Ahly won three
trophies in 2001 including the African Champions League.
Ghaly grabbed much attention while playing with Egypt's
Olympic team in early 2003. He was an excellent attacking
midfielder in a friendly tournament in Qatar, where
Brazilian star Kaka was awarded the player of the tournament,
followed by the Egyptian. He also played a big role
in Al-Ahly's 'Team of the Century' duel against Real
Madrid, which the Spaniards lost 1-0.
European Interest:
It was a matter of weeks before this fit, active and
technically gifted midfielder was on the shortlist of
many European teams. Dutch club Feyenoord were monitoring
him, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Stuttgart of Germany.
After EgyptianPlayers.com revealed that Feyenoord were
interested in Ghaly, the Dutch media made a meal of
the interest, and fans became enthusiastic. This resulted
in an offer of €1.5 million from the Dutch outfit,
and Ghaly spoke to EP saying, "I want a big league
and a big club."
Ghaly was tested against Man. City...
Ghaly went to Rotterdam, where Feyenoord played him
in a trial against Manchester City. In August 2003,
the parties put pen to paper and Ghaly had finally completed
his dream move to Europe.
Seven Months of Dormancy:
Things weren't quite as much of a fairy tale as they
sound; Ghaly waited for months before getting onto the
pitch. They were described as the seven months of dormancy,
in which all he got were a few seconds in an already
won UEFA Cup tie.
Ghaly also left for the African Nations Cup 2004 and
Feyenoord were less than reasonable about the issue.
After seven whole months of not touching the ball for
the first team, people were wondering what was next
and Ghaly was said to be losing patience. But he held
on, and in March 2004 (he signed in August 2003), Ghaly
started a league game.
Ghaly played against Willem II after
over four months of waiting...
After playing, Ghaly made the headlines. He was praised
by the coach and club, and within two days of the game
he was featured in football magazines and newspapers.
More games followed, including a win against PSV Eindhoven
after which the famous Dutch magazine Voetbal International
wrote a headline about the game: "The biggest win
for Feyenoord is called Hossam Ghaly."
For the rest of the season, Feyenoord lost only one
game with Ghaly in the starting line-up, showing the
performances of the midfielder. He was put into the
centre of the midfield, usually defensive, although
in one game he was used at centre back. His attacking
style was not utilised as it was in Egypt's youth teams,
but Ghaly's height and build made an authoritative defensive
midfielder.
Ghaly Can Be Best in Europe, Says Gullit:
With van Marjwik out, Ghaly had to cope with a new manager,
the legendary Ruud Gullit. The Dutchman said, "Ghaly
can become one of the best midfielders in Europe, if
he just plays like he is being told to." And that's
where there was a problem. The manager, like his predecessor,
claimed Ghaly was trying to be too complex on the pitch
and taking too many risks.
Ghaly played against Tottenham in a friendly
that ended 2-1 to Feyenoord...
From September to November 2004 Ghaly lost his place
in the team as a result of an initial suspension. Yet
when back, he was looking sharp. But still his problems
continued to some extent. "When I do something
wrong on the pitch, Gullit and his assistant Zeljko
Petrovic start shouting at me from the side," he
said, complaining that the staff are too impatient.
Ghaly got along with Gullit despite mutual
criticism...
By 2005, Feyenoord were flopping, and Ghaly was said
to be unhappy. Hossam played some excellent games, but
the team was simply not living up to expectations. In
May 2005, Ruud Gullit resigned, and the team was shattering.
Ghaly was injured for around two months. "We understood
each other and he began to treat me as I hoped he will,"
he said to EP.
The Koemans Strike Back:
Replacing Gullit was Erwin Koeman. His brother Ronald
Koeman had had massive rows with Spurs striker Mido,
and a deja vu hit Egyptian football fans worldwide.
Feyenoord started well, but it didn't continue. They
were knocked out of the UEFA Cup in the qualifiers,
and Koeman did what everyone dreaded in October. "One
mistake and you're out," was his policy, and Ghaly's
Dutch future looked in real doubt.
the Koeman that ruined Mido's Dutch career...
the Koeman that ruined Ghaly's Dutch
career...
While Ghaly was in Egypt, Koeman met the club's board
to decide on Ghaly's future, and a Dutch football expert
confirmed to EP: "I think he is finished for the
Netherlands."
Immediately, Arsenal were apparently interested, and
Ghaly himself said he want to leave. Arsene Wenger travelled
to watch the Egyptian, while Spurs looked at him.
Arsenal's van Persie - one of Ghaly's
best friends - made him eager to come to England...
But just when it looked like it was all over at Feyenoord,
Ghaly returned to the line-up and scored a good goal.
The heroic game left everyone bamboozled, and Ghaly
said to press that he wants to stay at the Dutch outfit.
Very ironically, this was after advice from friend Mido,
"Listen to the coach. Try to do what he wants you
to do. That really is the best idea," said Mido
to Ghaly.
|
