Xtratime Community banner

ACN 2008: Raise your hand if you're sick of Egypt

2.2K views 27 replies 18 participants last post by  Nacka  
#1 ·
meh
 
#2 ·
I'm not. I think they play very good football, have great players and are proving that an African team, full of players based domestically and coached by an African coach can do better than others full of European based stars coached by mediocre European coaches.

Now...having said this, I think the Egyptians have a slight tendency to behave like clowns when ahead in the score.
 
#3 ·
But they're too strong for this competition. The whole appeal of the ACN to me was that almost every time there was a new team that would rise up and win, the unpredictability of it was a big enjoyment factor. Now Egypt is wiping the floor with Ivory Coast, last year's finalist, and there's no suspense left.
 
#4 ·
numerodix said:
But they're too strong for this competition. The whole appeal of the ACN to me was that almost every time there was a new team that would rise up and win, the unpredictability of it was a big enjoyment factor. Now Egypt is wiping the floor with Ivory Coast, last year's finalist, and there's no suspense left.
Let's see what happens in the final...
 
#8 ·
You have to hand it to them. To be honest, although the games have been very entertaining (the ACN in general), I haven't been very impressed by the level of play; but rather the 22 physical specimens on the pitch.

Egypt has clearly been the best footballing side in this tournament. But what makes it exciting is that Cameroon could absorb Egypts pressure and skin them on the counter. They are certainly capable of that.
 
#11 ·
No offence but this thread goes beyond the realms of idiocy.

Not even Egyptians gave this team a snowball's chance in hell of reaching the final. We barely managed to make it to the tournament proper (last team to qualify, in fact) eventhough we were drawn in the easiest qualifying group possible. Not to mention the absence of several experienced players and the reservations many had over the backline etc.. and now that Hassan Shehata has silenced his critics it's being deemed as a predictable outcome? :googly:
 
#14 ·
numerodix said:
When you beat Cameroon in the group stage it was already obvious to me. So yeah, predictable. And the semi final? 4-1? Yeah, very tense indeed. :rolleyes:
Don't let the big scoreline fool you. El Hadary was in excellent shape and we took 4 of our 6 chances. It's not like we wiped the floor with them..
 
#16 ·
Yeah, the last two goals we conceded were absolute crackers.
 
#17 ·
They arent exciting or such, but they are extremely well built up as a team tactically and covers up for its flaws and strenghtens its strenght with really good teamplay. Plays solid organised football. Not predictable at all, even if they were the champions, and they as a team play much better basic build up play then the others.
 
#18 ·
Osman said:
Plays solid organised football.
And that's why they do so well. Opposite to other African nations they stick to their defensive and tactical organisation. Many African defenders tend to make rushes 'till they lose the ball somewhere at the opposite penalty area, which results in a huge space for the opponents to counter. Egypt doesn't. They simply let the attacking minded players to their job. And with a clinical Amr Zaki it turned out great so far.
 
#21 ·
@numerodix
Don't let the score line fool you. Egypt was the underdog. When the score was 1-0 IV had about 4 clear cut chances which should have changed the game if one of them had gone in. The keeper was in amazing form. Plus that Kolo Toure howler completely killed the game. It is not like Egypt just walked all over IV. Don't be like Marc who just looks at the numbers ;)
 
#22 ·
Egypt were brilliant on the counter attack and completely destroyed the Ivory Coast in this aspect. They broke at pace with brilliant passing and they could of scored more.
 
#23 ·
I hope Egypt can take this form the the WC in 2010. It promises to be a good WC for Africans then, especially after seeing good stuff from IC, Ghana and Cameroon as well.
 
#24 ·
Well imagine my surprise... :D

I knew this was gonna happen since Egypt beat Cameroon at the group stage. It's sad when you realize early in the tournament that it's basically predetermined.

Cameroon didn't play any better today than the last time I saw them. Solid defending (although one screwup is all it takes) and no end product. When they beat Zambia they scored from defensive mistakes and set pieces. Neither of which materialized today, so no goals. You can't defend yourself to a victory, you have to create chances.

Anyway, the match today was a good, tense final. But I was pretty sure I knew how it would end.

Terrific for the Egyptians, but personally I'm tired of this new dynasty already and I wish Ivory Coast and others had put up more of a fight.
 
#26 ·
numerodix said:
Well imagine my surprise... :D

I knew this was gonna happen since Egypt beat Cameroon at the group stage. It's sad when you realize early in the tournament that it's basically predetermined.

Cameroon didn't play any better today than the last time I saw them. Solid defending (although one screwup is all it takes) and no end product. When they beat Zambia they scored from defensive mistakes and set pieces. Neither of which materialized today, so no goals. You can't defend yourself to a victory, you have to create chances.

Anyway, the match today was a good, tense final. But I was pretty sure I knew how it would end.

Terrific for the Egyptians, but personally I'm tired of this new dynasty already and I wish Ivory Coast and others had put up more of a fight.
So, given your knowledge of the things to come. How much money did you make off of Egypt's win? :greed: