EXCLUSIVE COMMENTS INCLUDED: Zidan and FC Midtjylland ended their year on a high note as they won 2-1 at home over Randers FC. FCM can now go into the winter break in while 2nd in the league, and they have gone through all of 2004 without losing a home game. Zizou was celebrated in his 50th game for FCM with a huge Egyptian flag at half time. Only time will tell if this was Zidan's last game in Denmark.

Prior to the game, Zidan says he was ordered to play despite being unwell...

Before the game, the atmosphere was electric, for many reasons. For one, this was the last game of the year before the winter break and if won, would mark a whole year without a loss at home for FC Midtjylland. Then there was the Zidan factor. Not only was this his 50th game for FCM. The talk for months has been that Zidan is to leave FCM for a new country and a new and better league. And speculations are asking whether FCM will return to play in the spring with Zidan still in the team.

The protagonist himself had been battling the flu all week, and was clearly not 100% healthy when the ball was kicked off. Zidan was caught before the game, and asked about his health status. "Well, I still cough and I still have a bit of pain in my lungs, but I'm ready for the game today, and I want to play. Besides, Jens Orgaard (FCM's Sports Director) said that I had to play today, even if it killed me, and you can't really argue with Jens," he replied, with a smile on his face.

Randers FC are struggling to stay over the relegation line, but after a good performance against Viborg on Thursday they were very optimistic. Many Randers players voiced their will to get points at the SAS Arena. But unfortunately, they underestimated the home team. FCM started the game far more aggressively, and had a chance to get ahead after only 5 minutes. Mohamed Zidan received the ball outside the left corner of the box, did his infamous stutter-step, drew right, and quickly passed the ball into
the middle to Michael Hansen. He then quickly tapped it over to Dennis Sorensen who turned and shot. However, his shot caught too much air and floated over the crossbar.

Only 2 minutes later, FCM again created a dangerous chance. Zidan got the ball about 5 yards past the half-way line, and sprinted towards goal. He passed 4 markers before finally passing it off to a completely open Mikkel Thygesen in the box. Thygesen went for the curling shot into the far top corner, but again, his shot just got carried in the air and swooshed past the corner.

Then, after 10 minutes of play, Randers found their game and started pressing FCM. In the 11th minute, Svenne Poulsen had a dangerous chance, as he took a shot from the top of the box. He tried to lob it over Peter Skov-Jensen, but his shot was too powerful and landed on the top-net.

Zidan tried to create some magic quickly afterwards. In the 13th minute, he got the ball 40 yards from goal in midfield. He did some fancy dribbles, and quickly found himself surrounded by 4 defenders. This didn't stop Zidan though, as he continued into the box. Just before he could break free from them, he lost the dribble on his own foot, and Randers had a chance to clear it. Somehow they squandered the ball and it ended up on the left where Razak Pimpong quickly and decisively took a shot. However, Randers FC keeper Martin S. Jensen was quickly down to control the ball.

Randers FC kept on creating chances, and it was their Brazilian striker José Roberto Rodrigues Mota Junior who suddenly found
his form. In the 25th minute, he faked his marker and released a powerful shot from just outside the box, but Peter Skov-Jensen handled it well.

Then, 5 minutes later, after an initial corner kick clearance, the ball suddenly floated towards Mota, who tried to head it over in the opposite top corner, but his header was too powerful and went over the crossbar.

But 3's the charm, and his 3rd attempt at goal proved to be a successful one. In the 37th minute, Randers caught FCM on a counter attack, and bad marking by FCM caused Mota to receive the ball in the box, unmarked. He instantly fired the shot which Peter Skov-Jensen couldn't handle. Suddenly, FCM found themselves behind 1-0 at home after 37 minutes.

The Wolves quickly responded with a goal of their own. In the 43rd minute, Michael Hansen kicked a short corner to Zidan, who flicked it right back to Hansen. He was just outside the left corner of the box when he curled a powerful cross inside. But somehow, the ball ended up fooling everyone and going right past the keeper and into the left corner of the goal. Michael Hansen was credited for the goal, but replays showed that it was actually Mota who directed the ball into his own net. 1-1 at half time.

Zidan has been a decisive factor in FC Midtjylland's recent success, and the fans showed their appreciation for him. After the players came back on the field, the fans displayed an enormous Egyptian Flag (15 meters high x 30 meters wide) in honour of Mohamed Zidan. Zizou was clearly moved by the support of his fans.

An Egyptian flag for Zizou. ("EP photo" with permission of Palle Lykke Ravn and Klaus Thostesen)

FCM started the second half aggressively, and had a very close chance in the 51st minute. Dennis Sorensen ran towards the backline on the right flank, and sent a cross flat into the centre of the box. There, Razak Pimpong appeared and got his foot on the cross half a metre from the goal-line, but somehow, his shot incredibly hit the crossbar. The rebound was collected by Zidan, and finally Michael Hansen received it outside of the box. He tried to get the shot in the top corner, but his shot was also to powerful and went over the crossbar.

In the 53rd minute, Erik Rasmussen decided to substitute Dennis Sorensen for Kwadwe Poku. Poku, who originates from Ghana, was recently voted as the best African player under 23, and he is expected to replace Zidan when he finally switches clubs.

The game moved back and forth for the next 20 minutes, with both teams being cautious and defensive. Randers did have a lucky ball that flew up in the air and landed smack on the top of the crossbar, and Svenne Poulsen had a shot right on Peter Skov-Jensen's chest.

But in the 76th minute, Zidan took advantage of the young and talented fellow African Poku. He ran down the right flank, and sent a perfect cross into the centre of the box where Poku was moving in position. Randers's Ralf Pedersen tried to kick the ball clear, but he completely missed the ball which then bounced up to Poku who could slot in into the back of the net off the keeper. He celebrated with an African dance with Zidan, who was awarded the assist, although the cross wasn't direct. 2-1 to FCM with
15 minutes remaining.

Now FCM were only 15 minutes from going a whole year undefeated at home. They just had to defend their goal and keep the score. But Zidan wasn't finished. In the last minute of the game, Zidan saw a possibility when the ball rolled down the left flank. He exploded with his speed, and sprinted after the ball to get it. He then took an amazing run around his marker, into the box, around again, faked a 2nd defender, faked the keeper, and found himself all alone in front of a keeperless goal. But the sickness, 90 minutes of play, and the run drained Zidan's energy, as he was unlucky when his shot hit the post, but he should have finished it. He was trying to roll it into the bottom corner, but the shot lacked speed, and the spin caused the ball to curl outwards. A shame, as a goal would cap a great game, a great fall season, and a great year for Zidan. But it wasn't to be.

Zidan evaded the defenders and keeper; but missed an almost empty goal!

FC Midtjylland go into the winter break in a great 2nd place. They look like the only competition to powerful Brondby, who are 10 points ahead at the top of the table. FCM have now not lost a home game in 18 straight matches, and last time they lost a home game was November 2003!

They are also in the DONG Cup Semi-finals, and look likely to advance to the final.

But of course, the main question everybody was asking after the game was: " Was this Zidan's final FCM game?"...

Match Details:

FC Midtjylland - Randers FC 2-1 (1-1)

0-1 José Roberto Mota 37'
1-1 Michael Hansen 43'
2-1 Kwadwo Poku 76'

Attendance: 9.344.