Mohamed Salah scored deep in stoppage time to hand Egypt a precious 3-2 win over 10-man Guinea in Conakry in an action-packed World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
The promising forward, who will join Swiss side Basel in the close season, beat Guinea’s stand-in keeper Abdul Aziz Keita with aplomb with virtually the last kick of the game to silence the enthusiastic home crowd.
Guinea’s supporters were sent into raptures few minutes earlier when substitute Alhassane Bangoura looked to have secured a share of spoils with an 88th-minute strike.
The hosts started brightly after breaking the deadlock on 18 minutes, thanks to a penalty from Abdoul Camara. Classy playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, who was once again Egypt’s best performer after excelling in the 2-0 win over Mozambique, leveled the score 13 minutes after the restart.
The Ahly man converted a penalty few minutes later to put Egypt in front after Guinea’s keeper Naby Yattara was sent off for a wild challenge on midfielder Hosni Abd-Rabou.
Bangoura restored parity after a fine individual effort but the late drama favored an Egyptian side who maintained their perfect start to the qualifiers despite lack of competitive domestic action following February’s infamous disaster.
Egypt have six points from two games, three ahead of second-placed Guinea. Mozambique and Zimbabwe, who played out a goalless draw earlier on Sunday, lie third and fourth respectively with a solitary point.
The group winners will qualify for the final and decisive round, where two-legged ties will take place to determine Africa’s five representatives at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Watch the Goals:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GwyzBlb664[/youtube]
Hassan Hehata comments on Egypt Performance
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GwyzBlb664[/youtube]
Interview with Bob Bradley after the game:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuNvfbP9cXY[/youtube]
Interview with Mohamed Salah & Ahmed Hegazy
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUqVznV8b1o[/youtube]
Match review from Al Ahly TV
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2Y_u2aYguo[/youtube]
