Pharaohs Reign

The African Futsal Champions, ranked 19th in the World, finished off their World Championship preparations with a comprehensive 9:0 drubbing over the young English team.

Once again the stall was set out and England defended resolutely, depending heavily on a counter-attacking tactic. The introduction to the squad of Saunders, Elford and Skibula had obviously paid dividends against Thailand and were called upon again, but raeley troubled the Egypt goal line.

A 4:0 half time score was justifiably pleasing for the visitors whose game is rapidly developing. It was, however, the Egyptians who emerged in the second half with a score to settle, as they went about the dissection of the English defensive mechanisms. A flurry of brilliantly worked goals from futsal formations and dead balls produced a handful of goals that left a final tally of 9:0.

Egypt, who play Thailand on the 16th, will be pleased by their performance, however, at the World Championships, there seems to be little chance of them qualifying past the group stages with Spain, Ukraine and the expectant host Chinese Taipei in their group. Whilst being the Champs of Africa, their status in the top 20 rankings will not guarantee World Championship glory!

For Graeme Dell and the Lions they must now focus their attention on the friendlies in December against Romania and Moldova.