September 24, 2009
The FIFA Under-20 World Cup kicked off in the Egyptian city of Alexandria at the Borg Al Arab Stadium with a crowd of around 80 000 present, to watch the host nation Egypt defeat Trinidad and Tobago 4-1.
There was to be no stage fright for the hosts, who are known as the Young Pharaohs, with a brace of goals from Zamalek striker Hoosam Arafat, and a goal each for the Al Ahly pair of Afroto and Mohamed Talaat. Trinidad’s lone goal was scored by Jean Luc Rochford.
Egypt, as was expected with the partisan support they received, would be the dominant team, it all came together for them early on when with just thirty minutes gone as midfielder Afroto scored to put them a goal up to send the crowd into delirium.
There was a deafening silence shortly after though when Egyptian joy turned to shock, as Trinidad veered from the script six minutes later and found an equaliser through Rochford.
Egypt were back in front soon after the half-time interval however, with Hoosam Arafat scoring the first of his two second half goals in the 51st minute.
Victory was ultimately secured for Egypt when Mohamed Talaat found his way onto the score-sheet, by netting Egypt’s third on 59 minutes.
Trinidad fought back in the closing stages of the match and even managed to strike a post in the final minute of regulation time, but three minutes into injury time, Arafat was on hand to score a second and make the score 4-1 in favour of Egypt.
Egypt’s next game will be in four days time against Paraguay when they will move from Alexandria to Cairo for the clash with the South Americans.
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