The Egyptian national team had to sweat to beat their Madagascar counterparts today in a penalty shootout, by 4-3, after a four-all draw in regulation time.
The match was part of the first round of Group B of the 5th edition of the Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Mozambique 2022.
With this result, the Pharaohs only managed to salvage a point from the penalty shootout. If one of the teams had won in extra time in the extra three minutes, it would have added two points, with a win in regulation time for each side worth three points.
Egypt therefore play Senegal tomorrow, who are coming off a comfortable 10-1 win over Uganda, while Madagascar and Uganda will be looking to pick up their first points of the tournament.
An electrifying duel between Egypt and Madagascar, two beach football giants, was in store. After taking a sabbatical after winning their first title in 2015, Madagascar’s Barea took it upon themselves to get back to winning ways by bringing along seven experienced players who made up the winning squad.
However, it was Egypt who took control of the game and took the lead early on through Hassan Hussein (1′), but it was not long before the equaliser arrived, the result of a persistent move by Malagasy Marcel Richard. It was a frenetic battle that dragged on until half time in the first period.
Three minutes into the second period Hossam Hassan, Egypt’s top scorer, put his team in the lead with a long-range shot that gave goalkeeper Mohamed Ahmed no chance at all.
The Pharaohs were able to extend their lead after they benefited from a penalty corner from defender Ahmed Mohamed in the tenth minute of the third period. However, the Madagascans were not satisfied and sought to reduce the deficit.
It was after a direct free-kick that Barea Madagascar made it 2-3 through Tokindrainy Randriama. Believing and determined to win the game, Egypt scored again, this time Abdelrahiman Elshafe beating the opposing goalkeeper from distance. It was 2-4.
The team coached by Solofotsiavahana Ramarolahy (Madagascar), missed the opportunity to further reduce the score after Rakotomalala Orlando missed a penalty. However, Tokindrainy Randriama, the scorer of the second goal, eventually scored from a free kick two minutes into the final period.
It was, in fact, a true test between the two teams in the rectangle of the game. When everything indicated that Egypt had the game won, Rakotomalala Orlando redeemed himself from the penalty and turned the scoreboard with 26 seconds left in the third period, equalizing the score (4-4). The game had to be dragged out to penalties, after the tie (4-4) in the extra three minutes.
What they said
Solofo Tsiavahana Ramarolahy, Madagascar coach
“I am on one hand satisfied with the commitment and fight my players showed on the pitch. We managed to turn the result around, even after losing. Our aim was really to win this game. We will try to rest for tomorrow’s game against Uganda.
Moustafa Zeidan Lofty, Egypt coach
“Sometimes the beginning of a competition like this we have happy days and others not so happy days. It was a very tight game between the two teams. At one point we failed to control the game and allowed our opponent to score. We made some mistakes that cost us dearly. Tomorrow we have a big battle against Senegal. Right now our focus is on tomorrow’s game.
Source: Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF)