Egypt in national mourning after World Cup hopes dashed
Israeli living in Cairo says Egyptian capital was quiet like 'Yom Kippur in Israel' in wake of dramatic loss.
By Yossi Melman Tags: Egypt Israel newsA feeling of national mourning cast a pall over Egypt last night after its national soccer team failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The normally crowded and clamorous Cairo streets went still.
"It was a quiet like that of Yom Kippur in Israel," said an Israeli living in the Egyptian capital.
The silence yesterday contrasted starkly with the roars of victory on Saturday, when hundreds of thousands of Egyptians rejoiced after their team scored a final goal five minutes into stoppage time, resulting in a 2-0 win that required a third game between Egypt and Algeria. But the Egyptian team, playing in Sudan, lost the playoff 1-0, sending Algeria to South Africa for next year's World Cup. A first-half strike by defender Antar Yahya brought Algeria to victory, meaning it will compete at the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Forty-eight planes carried thousands of Algerians to the game, while Egyptian fans arrived on 18 planes, as well as via overland transportation.
Some 15,000 Sudanese armed police officers and security officials - one for every two spectators - were deployed to Khartoum's Al Merreikh Stadium in an effort to prevent anticipated riots. Algerian fans said they were beaten by Egyptian fans after the last game, and an Algerian rapper said that his brother had been killed by Egyptian fans. Rumors of other deaths also spread on Facebook and YouTube - sparking thousands of Algerian youths to attack Egyptian businessmen in Algeria. In Egypt, rumors spread that Algerian authorities had prevented concerned Egyptian workers from leaving Algeria.
Egypt and Algeria have enjoyed close political and economic cooperation for decades, and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is considered a personal friend of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. All the same, the tension over the past few days has threatened to worsen diplomatic ties between the two countries. After Saturday's match, the president of the Algerian soccer association refused to shake hands with his Egyptian counterpart.
A rapper of Algerian and Egyptian descent tried to break the tension by posting a clip on YouTube of former Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser and his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Ben Bella, riding in a car together, but the sports rivalry seems stronger than memories of a shared past. Nasser supported the Algerian revolt in the 1950s, granting shelter and weapons to Algerian guerillas.
The disappointment in Egypt - the largest Arab country in the world, with over 70 million residents - over failing to qualify for the World Cup was intensified by expectations fanned by the media, which ran headlines like "God is with you." But this time, it seems, God was with the Algerians. Now Egypt, which last appeared at a World Cup in 1990, must make do with the cold comfort offered by one of its sports commentators, who said, "It's good that there's at least one Arab team in the World Cup."
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While Algeria Recieved the egyptian with flowers , Egypt stoned and injured (Proven by Videos) the Algerians players on Egyptian Soil. Algeria deserved the tix to South Africa and will beat big teams like it did in 1982, Algeria 2- Germany 0.
wut the algerians fans did in sudan aganist the egyptians is un acceptable , we do sports only to enjoy and keep the countries more closers NOT to attack or insult each other. we played well but in my opinion we lose coz of bad luck and bad judgment , any way we appreciate our national team and our coach they did well. this is my 1st time to read an israeli newspaper but i like the essay and like the responses as well.
It is not about football,whatever we reached to world cup or not.we will not take it any way.but the problem they are (Algerians) attack Egypt for stupid thing like the Cenima movies,our media and our relation with Israel,imagine they call us Israelis like if it is an insult
Algeria's "stone wall" defense is exactly why I feel Egypt deserved it more. They tried harder, they had more opportunities and shots at goal. Now I agree that Algeria has been the most consistent, but Egypt at its prime can handle the likes of Brazil and Italy. They're both worthy teams, but I feel Egypt would definitely make it farther in the World Cup. Algeria could go either way. Good to see an Arab representative nonetheless.
I am sorry to tell you that the Algerians outclassed the Egyptians in nearly every aspect of the game. Even the 2-0 game in Cairo did not show case the true talent o f the Egyptians who played like they were under the pressure of 80 Million egyptians. throw in the added pressure of the "conflict" between the two teams and they bucled. Could not stand up to the heat. That is not a representative of the arabs in the world cup. Algeria on the other hand could have walked away from the second match if not for the luck of the Egyptians. No one can finish, they controled everything in the midfield when Algeria allowed them to. Not world class caliber. Algeria's defence was like a stone wall that blocked all Egyptians desperate attempts. They deserve to be in the world cup.
They absolutely have the talent for it. I am memorized by Aboutreika's footballing prowess, there is a reason he is considered one of the top midfielders in the world. It is truly a shame that he and Essam Al Hadary (goalkeeper) will likely not see a World Cup, for this generation of Egypt's team is definitely the best to come in a long time. They can rest assured that they are the African champions however. Best of luck to Algeria, and I hope everyone keeps the peace and keeps their heads held up high.