IT’S BEEN A long time since Egypt last qualified for a World Cup and despite their continental success, it’s been a tough road.
They may have tasted African Cup of Nations success four times, including three straight victories between 2006 and 2010, but getting reacquainted with a World Cup has consistently eluded them.
You have to go back to Italia ’90 when they last reached the promised land. They were eliminated at the group stage but conceded just two goals in three games and drew with both reigning European champions the Netherlands and Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland.
Infamously, in the immediate aftermath of the latter, Eamon Dunphy skewered the Irish performance live on RTE and described it as ‘rubbish’ and ‘shameful’.
“I felt embarrassed for soccer,” he said.
“Embarrassed for the country. I feel ashamed with that performance. Everyone in the country has been let down. The Egyptians were terrible. They are terrible. England will do a job on them. We should be ashamed of the way we went about the game. This is a great footballing country…only to go out and play that rubbish.”
Dunphy’s prediction was a little off and England later huffed and puffed against a resolute and organised Egyptian defence in their group finale. Mark Wright scored the only goal of the game just before the hour and Egypt headed home.
Ever since it’s been a frustrating World Cup story.
Until now.
Having finished as runners-up in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations under Hector Cuper, the team needed a win against Congo on Sunday to book their place in Russia.
Liverpool attacker Mo Salah opened the scoring but the guests later equalised. The game seemed certain to finish in stalemate when Egypt were awarded a penalty in the 95th-minute.
#Egypt qualifies for #Russia 2018 World Cup after defeating Congo. pic.twitter.com/qLrI123GMX
— Zaid Benjamin (@zaidbenjamin) October 8, 2017
Salah stepped up and made no mistake to cue incredible, jubilant scenes in Alexandria.
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Tallaght, Dalymount, Tolka and Aviva have all been looked at already! Does soccer not exist beyond the City??
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: u have a very very low bar
@Kevin Bury: They have to be and be seen to be fair and equitable!!
Small money compared to the cash bonfires raging at RTE, HSE, Children’s hospital, ….
Sligo Rovers have a very impressive proposal to develop the Show Grounds.
Galway Utd are looking to develop pitches for their Underage Teams. Treaty also need funding to get their own pitches.
The 80m should be divided up every year between the clubs in both the premier and first division on a needs must basis. Obviously the likes of Tallaght, Turners Cross, RSC wouldn’t need as much as say Dundalk, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford etc. and divide it up every year until every ground in both divisions are fit for purpose and provide a positive experience for all fans.
FAI really have some neck on them.
The soccer hang “only” are looking for 67% of the overall funding by the government for Irish sports. Why don’t they go for 100% of the funding, it is after all the most successful and enjoyable sport in the country
@WqM9AAv3: successful?
@WqM9AAv3: enjoyable?
It would be a good idea to build up facilities and amenities at some of the smaller clubs. The worry would be how these projects are managed. There is one thing that is certain in Ireland these days and it’s that no project no matter the size stays on budget. You don’t want these smaller clubs with tiny revenues left on the hook for overruns that cripple them afterwards.
Jed ward you must be joking