Egypt vs Paraguay (1-2)

Egypt vs Paraguay (1-2)

Date: 28-9-2009
Wrote: EP's webmaster

Ten men Paraguay managed to stun the home crowd by beating young Pharaohs in stoppage time. The home team looked in a very poor shape failing to take advantage of the extra man. The young Pharaohs simply got outplayed by a superior team. Egyptian players and staff looked cluless throughout the ninety minutes and deserved their defeat.

Young Pharaohs disappointed the home crowd with a defeat against ten men Paraguay. The guests showed their superiority in the game as they controlled the midfield, won headers, duels, tackles and forced the Egyptian team to play long ball despite having the numerical advantage starting from the 36th minute.

Egyptian coaching staff management of the game was extremely poor. The Egyptian manager was totally clue less with his tactics and substitutions. He failed to take advantage of the sending off of Paraguay's centre back Huth and played with only Mohamed Talaat at front. He should have introduced Boogy at earlier stage but he chose to bring him on in the 90th minute to replace the only striker Talaat!

In addition to this, the Egyptian individuals certainly talented but the players are not able to play like a team. The Young Pharaohs can't play well under pressure and everyone is simply waiting for the pass, not moving off the ball to get it. These players have played together for a very long time under the same coaching staff but they didn't know how to deal with Paraguayan pressing game and their passing was simply abysmal.

The Egyptian team failed to take advantage of Afroto's pace and skills. He was wasted in the right flank. He should have played behind two strikers (Boogy and Talaat) especially after the sending off of the Paraguayan centre back. The young Pharaohs lost the midfield battle and the coaching staff never looked they are going to get it back.

In defense, Santander all by himself was able to hold the ball, win headers and score goals against the Egyptian defense. The Egyptian team really missed Hegazy in tonight's match as the latter aerial abilities could make the difference.

Another poor manager decision was keeping Hossam Arafat the whole ninety minutes while all what he was doing is wasting his teammate's efforts with his selfish play. The Zamalek youngster gave away possession countless times and always tried hopeful shots while he had the chance to build up play.

To be fair, Paraguay team is too strong. They are very well organized. They knew how to use active tacking to their advantage as they didn't give Egyptian midfielders any chance to receive the ball comfortably. Their midfield was strong and cohesive and their strikers should teach Talaat how to keep the ball under pressure from defense and how to win headers.

In the end, the better team have won. Egypt will have to do better against Italy who are not as strong as Paraguay but the Egyptian team has to correct their mistakes in order to come up with a positive result.

EP's man of the match:

It is hard to pick a Paraguayan player to be the best. However, Santander gave the Egyptian team all sorts of troubles in the game, he won headers, held the ball well under pressure and grabbed a goal.

Best Egyptian player on the pitch:

Afroto. He was wasted in the game playing as a right winger. He took his goal very well and always looked a threat whenever he had the ball in his possession.