Egypt’s Olympic team draws with Ivory Coast

CAIRO (GoPharaohs.com) - Vingada was right; the Ivorian team’s tactics of early pressure are what the Pharaohs had to watch for. In the first half of the their first leg qualfication match in Cairo, Ivory Coast dominated the field and pressured the Egyptians. Siko of Ivory Coast scored in the 21st minute and gave his team a critical advantage over their hosts.

Before Siko scored, Egypt’s defenses were not up to standard. The Egyptians let go of their defensive caution after the goal was scored and began to exchange attacks with the opponent. The Pharaohs’ offense was noticeably slow, however. If it wasn’t for Egypt’s goalkeeper and the midfield pitching in with the defense, the Ivorians would have scored on multiple occasions.

The second have was a different story. Egypt pickd up the pace offensively and in the midfield. They took control of the game and kept their opponents in their half of the pitch. Vingada made several substitutions in the second half to increase Egypt’s attacking capability. Egypt’s efforts came to fruition only in the last minute of the game when Ahmed El-Mohamad scored from a header to end the game 1-1.

Egypt will play at Ivory Coast in their second leg match some time between Mach 23rd to the 25th.

read in arabic