Tokyo Olympics – Group C: Egypt end Australia’s campaign
SMA NEWS – TOKYO
Australia’s bid for a place in the Tokyo Olympics Men’s Football quarter-finals ended in group stage elimination after a 2-0 defeat against Egypt at Miyagi Stadium on Wednesday.
Goals from Ahmed Yasser Rayyan and Amar Hamdy denied the Olyroos the point they needed, with Graham Arnold’s side squandering the opportunity to advance having beaten Argentina 2-0 in the opening match.
Egypt’s win was underpinned by a stellar second-half performance from goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who made a number of fine saves to send his side to the last eight.
While Australia only needed a point to advance, Egypt had no option but to win and those conflicting objectives were reflected in the way each approached the early stages of the match, with the North African side attacking from the opening whistle.
Mohsen Salah missed two good scoring chances in the opening skirmishes and, while Nick D’Agostino did send a headed effort high and wide in the 27th minute, Australia were clearly second best in a first half where Egypt had 63 per cent of possession.
They were finally rewarded for that dominance with a minute remaining in the first half by a lovely goal scored by Rayan, who found the net from directly in front of goal after Ramadan Sobhi had tricked his way past Harry Souttar as part of a terrific team move.
Forced into a series of selection reshuffles due to suspensions to Mitch Duke, Riley McGree and Nathaniel Atkinson, Australia had been left wanting in the first half, but the introduction of Daniel Arzani at half-time provided the Olyroos with a clear and immediate boost.
The talented winger asked questions of the Egyptians and forced Mohamed El Shenawy into his first genuine save, but poor passing lower down the pitch repeatedly hampered the Olyroos efforts, with one such giveaway from Keanu Baccus leading to a close shave from Hamdy, who rattled the crossbar with 20 minutes remaining before Sobhi headed the rebound narrowly over.
With time rapidly running out, Arnold threw towering defender Jay Rich-Baghuelou on as a striker, but Australia were denied by the brilliance of El Shenawy, who made superb saves to deny Arzani, then Thomas Deng, as the match entered its final 10 minutes.
Those saves were all the more important when Hamdy doubled the advantage five minutes from time, pouncing on a poor spill from goalkeeper Tom Glover to slam the ball home and send Egypt into a quarter-final against Brazil on Saturday.
Spain’s 1-1 draw with Argentina in Group C’s other match means Australia finished at the bottom of the group having led it after Matchday One with their 17-year drought since their last knockout stage appearance destined to go until at least 2024.
