Ethiopia 0-2 Egypt Player Ratings: Mohamed Salah’s Brilliant Performance Helped Egypt Earn 3-easy Points

Egypt emerged victorious against Ethiopia in a very comfortable manner at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli Stadium, thanks to Captain Mohammed Salah and Zizo who registered their names in the scoresheet. The game started with Ethiopia’s touch and from the very first touch, it was evident that they came into the game with a defensive approach against the Pharaohs. Estonia kept their defensive third solid and intensely pressurized the opponent strikers whenever they had the ball in control. As a result, the Egyptians had a rather stuttering initial quarter.

However after the 25-minute mark, Ethiopia shifted its focus from defence to attack, and this moment was capitalized properly by the Egyptians. Mohamed Salah cleverly placed himself in the defensive gaps hoping to take advantage of any defensive error and this strategy came into effect in the 31st minute when A. Fathy gave an easy assist which was converted much easier by Salah, breaking the deadlock. Since the first goal, the Ethiopian defence shattered and with less than 5 minutes remaining in the first half Egypt scored their second goal, this time from Zizo who again made use of the excessive gap left by the defenders in the attacking third and at halftime, Egypt led by two goals. In the second half, Ethiopia gained composure and balanced well in the attack and defence. Though the Egyptians attacked through both the flanks, they stood strong as a unit keeping the gaps minimal, defending desperately.

The half was relatively dominated in the midfield with both teams making a couple of efforts into the attack. Though Salah scored his second one from a rebound, the referee called it an offside and marked the goal null and void. At full time Egypt had the happy face winning 2-0 securing their 1st position in the table.

Ethiopia Player Ratings

GK – A. Nura – (6/10)

The debutant was put into the real test in the initial minutes where he kept his calm and solid. However as the game progressed and the defence started becoming weak, the keeper was just a spectator watching the goals scored against him. In the second half, he was really in control preventing further goals

CB – R. James – (6.5/10)

Stood like a wall and did not let the two goals scored by the Egyptians demotivate him.

CB – A. Tamene – (5/10)

Was a bit shaky in the first half. In the second half made some important clearances including a goal-line save that was destined to be the third goal for the opponents.

CB – A. Terfa – (5/10)

Played an important role in covering Salah in the initial minutes of the game. However, due to a lack of communication, everything was in vain

LWB – B. Berhane – (5/10)

Had a very disappointing day. Was not able to contribute properly to the team

CM – A. Worku – (5/10)

Came into help for defence whenever required making some important blocks

CM – A. Yohannes – (5/10)

Covered Zizo in an effective manner in the initial half, however, there was a lack of coordination which led to gaps and eventually Egypt scoring

CM – B. Markos- (5/10)

Failed to make any impact during the match and was struggling most of the time

RWB – Y. Moges – (5/10)

Tried providing crosses inside the box. However, most of them were either overhit or did
not have force

CF – C. Gugsa – (4/10)

Found it difficult to break the opponents’ defensive wall. Was subbed off very early in the
second half

CF – A. Nasir – (5.5/10)

Made an acrobatic attempt in the first half. Apart from that, the player did not have much of a role in the game.

Sub – Bereket Waza (5/10)

Sub – H Tekeste (5/10)

Sub – B. Desta (5/10)

Sub – A Rashid (4/10)

Sub – M. Abera (5/10)

Coach – Mesay Teferi (6/10)

The coach was successful in making the Egyptian Strikers struggle with his defensive approach. The change in tactics during the second half ensured that no more goals went further in.

Egypt Player Ratings

GK – M. El-Shenawy – (5/10)

Had barely any role in the match. The defence stood like a wall and the keeper rarely had to touch the ball. Was only put into action once in the match.

LB – M. Trezeguet – (5/10)

Made his presence felt both in the Attack and Defence. It paved the way for a potential penalty, which however was not convincing for the referee. Attempted multiple shots, however, none of them could find itself at the end of the net. Was not his day from an attacking perspective.

CB – M. Rabia – (6/10)

Stood strong at the back preventing any attacks from the opponents. Communicated well and kept the clean sheet.

CB – M Abdelmonem – (5/10)

Played more of a supporting role assisting the teammates during defence. Did not have to be involved much physically in the game.

RB – M. Hany – (5/10)

Covered the right flank by providing key passes. Apart from that his roles were minimal.

CM – M. Attia – (6/10)

Made himself devoted in the second third so that Zizo could move a bit forward and assist the strikers. Made some good interceptions and kept the ball away from entering his own half

CM – Zizo – (7/10)

Made some important touches in the opponent’s half which put pressure on them. Easily chipped in the ball over the keeper to find it at the back of the net to register his name in the score’s list

CM – H. Fathy – (6.5/10)

Provided a very clever assist to Salah who was lurking in the attacking third to break the deadlock. Kept himself active in the second third making key passes into the attack. Rather than a CM, his playstyle suited an AM role.

LW – O. Marmoush – (5.5/10)

Played a decent role in the left flank making a few crosses into the box. While some of them made contact with his teammates, most of them had a small impact.

RW – M. Salah – (7.5/10)

Displayed his class by scoring a goal and providing an assist in the first half. Was very active in the right flank keeping the opponent defenders busy in marking him. His presence of mind led to breaking the deadlock which was the foundation for a smooth second half.

CF – O. Faisal – (6/10)

Played much of a second-striker role keeping himself ready for any rebounds. His presence helped add pressure and create confusion among the Ethiopian players.

Sub – M.Mohammed (4/10)

Sub – M. Shehata (5/10)

Sub – K.Sobhi (4/10)

Sub – A N Koka (4/10)

Sub – M. Fathy (5/10)

Coach – Hossam Hassan – (6/10)

His tactics of bringing the LB into the attack added pressure to the Ethiopian team even in the dying minutes. He understood that the opponents struggled under pressure and waited for the right moment to strike back which bore results.

The Sportsdunia Player of the Match goes to Mohamed Salah.