A look back: The most painful matches ever

GoPharaohs.com (CAIRO) - The national team hasn’t taken the field for a competitive match in months. In fact, 2007 is one of those rare, odd times that come along only once every four years when no World Cup qualifying or African Cup of Nations finals matches will be played on our continent. We thus thought now would be as good a time as any to take a look back at some of the most impactful matches in Egyptian football history. In this edition, we review the most painful games Pharaohs fans have ever had to endure.

Cote d’Ivoire 2:0 Egypt (2006 World Cup qualifier; ABIDJAN) - This match may be the freshest and most vivid in the memories of Egyptian football faithful. Egypt fought back into legitimate World Cup contention after embarrasing losses under former boss Marco Tardelli. Hopes were sky high following a string of exceptional results under new manager Hassan Shehatta. But ultra-defensive tactics, defensive blunders, and an upstart Cote d’Ivoire officially ended Egypt’s bid for its first World Cup finals berth in 16 years.

Algeria 1:1 Egypt (2002 World Cup qualifier; ANNABA) - A match that conjures up tremendous emotion; Egypt fans undoubtedly recall their players and coaches getting bombarded with projectiles. The match was stopped several times, as local fans and players stopped at nothing to ensure their North African neighbors wouldn’t qualify for Korea/Japan 2002. FIFA then refused to listen to the pleas of an entire nation to have the match re-played on neutral ground. Egypt cited FIFA’s decision to have a match against Zimbabwe, which Egypt won, replayed in France for transgressions that would seem much softer to many than what transpired in Annaba. FIFA took the easy way out, and simply banned Annaba from hosting any international matches for a trivial amount of time.

Saudi Arabia 5:1 Egypt (1999 Confederations Cup; MEXICO CITY) - If any match is sure to land at the top of worst defeats lists it’s this one. No Egyptian in their worst nightmares could have envisioned the events that would occur. The Pharaohs had just delivered one of their most inspired performances ever just one game prior; coming back from 2-0 in the final 10 minutes to draw with Mexico in the driving rain of the Azteca stadium with just 10 men. Perhaps doubling as the strangest match in Egypt history, the Pharaohs fell victim to three red cards, including two early on to national team anchors Abdel Sattar Sabry and Hazem Emam. Many believed the match was bought, and an internal investigation by the Egyptian government was launched in the aftermath.

Egypt 0:0 Zimbabwe (1994 World Cup qualifier; LYON) - Worthy of being considered the most bitter episode in Egyptian football history for some. Egypt had beaten Zimbabwe 1-0 in Cairo to make the final round of World Cup qualifying, but world football governing body FIFA had other plays. They decided an unruly Cairo crowd was grounds for having the match re-played on neutral territory. Egypt could only muster a scoreless draw when it needed a win in the replay in France.

Egypt 0:0 Ireland (1990 World Cup; PALMERO) - Perhaps the most frustrating match ever for Egypt fans, this one personified coach Mahmoud El-Gohary’s storied tenure more than any. A team that looked to have the talent to beat Ireland, if Egypt’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands the match before was any indication, chose instead to play for a scoreless draw. Back-pass after back-pass later helped push FIFA to outlaw the play. Many Egypt fans even refer to the law as “The El-Gohary Rule.”

England 1:0 Egypt (1990 World Cup; CAGLIERI) - Egypt had an outside chance of making it through to the last sixteen with a draw going into the match, but no one knew what to expect after the disheartening display against the Irish. Instead Egypt was sent packing with defeat, finishing bottom of the group after a promising start to the tournament.

Egypt 2:2 (7:8 PK) Nigeria (1984 African Cup of Nations semis; ABIDJAN) - Just as was the case against Algeria four years prior, a penalty helps Egypt lose a 2-0 lead after a place in the African Cup of Nations final looked a certainty. The Pharaohs eventually lost the match 7-8 in a nerve-shattering penalty shootout.

Tunisia 4:1 Egypt (1978 World Cup qualifier; TUNIS) - Considered by many as one of the best Egypt teams ever to take the pitch, they were also the Egypt squad closest to getting into the World Cup finals in decades. All the Mahmoud El-Khateeb and Hassan Shehatta-led Pharaohs needed was a draw in Tunis. The result was worse than even the most pessemistic Egyptian fans expected.

Egypt 2:3 Zaire (1974 African Cup of Nations semis; CAIRO) - The mood in Egypt was one of pride and achievement following the performance of the Egyptian Armed Forces in the October War with Israel months prior. But this match would start a dubious trend for the Pharaohs in the African Cup of Nations. It was the first of three matches over the span of 10 years in this competition where Egypt would give up a 2-0 lead in the semifinals and lose the match. The loss was especially bitter considering it was suffered before a home crowd.

Honorable mentions include; Egypt 1:2 Cote d’Ivoire (2006 World Cup qualifier; ALEXANDRIA) - Remarkably, it was Egypt’s first World Cup qualifying loss ever to a team from the African continent. Qualifying for Germany 2006 was always an uphill battle following this unlikely defeat.

Also not to be outdone was Tunisia 1:0 Egypt (2000 African Cup of Nations semis; KANO) - Egypt won all three group matches under manager Gerard Gili as it began its defense of the African Cup of Nations title it won in Burkina Faso two years prior. But a questionable penalty from Khaled Badra lead to an unexpected and premature exit for Egypt and their new manager.

Finally, Egypt 2:2 Algeria; 2-4 on penalties (1980 African Cup of Nations semis; IBADAN) - Egypt is up 2-0, but a penalty for Algeria and a second goal send it to extra time. Egypt would eventually lose 2-4 on penalties.

So, which match do you think was the worst? Which outcome in the annals of Egyptian football stung your heart the most? Many fans are already telling us what they think. To have your say, visit our online forum and register for free. Then find the poll titled Egypt’s most painful ever match in the National Team section and vote.