The-Shot.Net Writers Club - Cameroon - Egypt 0:0, Algeria

Feb 3 1300 GMT Cameroon - Egypt 0:0 (final score)
parallel: Algeria - Zimbabwe 1:2 (final score)
1. Cameroon 2. Algeria
Egypt needs (90th minute):
to score themselves (if Egypt score it will be 1. Egypt 2. Cameroon)
or Zimbabwe to score again (then 1. Cameroon 2. Egypt)

before the match:

Cameroon	2	6-4	4
Algeria	2	3-2	4
Egypt	2	3-3	3
Zimbabwe	2	4-7	0

- Cameroon will qualify for the quarter finals if they do not lose to Egypt
- Egypt will qualify for the quarter finals if they defeat Cameroon
- If Cameroon defeats Egypt in the final group match, Cameroon and Algeria will be qualified, regardless the result of Algeria vs Zimbabwe.
- Algeria will qualify for the quarter finals by a draw or win against Zimbabwe before the final group match.
-If Egypt lose they cannot qualify
-There still are some more complicated scenarios depending on goal difference in which anyway Cameroon might qualify despite losing, or Egypt can qualify with a draw, or Algeria qualifying though losing while Cameroon-Egypt ending in a draw
-drawing lots is only possible if both Algeria and Cameroon lose and the exact scores will make them have the same goal difference

1st half:
- Cameroon in traditional colurs, Egypt in red shirts, white shorts, white stockings
- Egypt with a new keeper. Cameroon with Mettomo in for suspended Tchato, but in central position, while Song seems to be defending on the left (a three men defence like in the second match)
-'1-'8
- typical anxious beginning in a knock-out match. Slowly Cameroon's individual superiority starts to gain impact on the match
-('9) Cameroon free kick cross from the right. It is deflected by an Egyptian defender (#5) with his hand (referee does not see it or does not think it is worth a penalty). Still it finds Mboma who takes it directly, but over the bar.
-('12) Egypt display their combinatory skills and almost have a chance
-('13) Song loses the ball in his own half but Atouba can prevent Mido from getting into scoring position
-('16) Cameroon: Another dangerous free kick cross, followed by a similarly dangerous corner, both times the ball flies wide by about a meter or less
-Cameroon are very strong at attacking set pieces
-After 20 minutes Cameroon look in relative control
-('21) Egypt: miserably executed free kick cross
-a trademark of the 1998 Egypt (legendary coach Gohary) had been the well practised execution of free kicks
-('23) Egypt: this time a free kick cross is more dangerous
-('24) Egypt: Mido attacks the keeper who is already in possession of the ball and sparks an intense period of discussions and arguments. He sees yellow, while Kameni is treated several minutes for injury, having been stepped on his knee
-('26) the match continues
-('27) Cameroon: Geremi tries a free kick from 30, but wide, the keeper had been in the triangle in time anyway
-both teams neutralise each other so far, but manage to get free kick opportunities around the penalty area. Cameroon are able to use long throw ins as well to get balls into the penalty area
-('34) Geremi (Cameroon) makes a late challenge and sees yellow
-('38) Egypt are able to create some danger out of fluent play for only the second time, still defended eventually
-('39)('40) Encouraged then North Africans try again and find it is possible to advance at least into the red zone
-('41) A missunderstanding in the Cameroonian defence allow Egypt a real opportunity. But the eventualö shot from the edge of the penalty area is poorly executed
-('45 1) Egypt: through ball on ahmed Hassan, but his shot from 18 meters is too weak to beat Kameni
-('45 3) Cameroon: one of the dangerous long throw ins by Cameroon almost produces an own goal as they seem to make the defence nervous
-('45 4) Cameroon get a cross into the Egyptian penalty area out of fluent play, somethig we have not seen for long
-('45 4) Cameroon: A powerful shot by Mboma from 18 meters is saved well by the Egpytian keeper

halftime 0:0
It is the typical dangerous match for the team going into a knockout like type of match with a lead. Cameroon more and more satisfied with defending, not applying their potential. And suddenly Egypt start to find the key to put some pressure. This will get more and more thrilling.
parallel match: two wasted must-score opportunities for Zimbabwe through Adam Ndlovu

2nd half:
- Cameroon want to apply pressing but then hesitate. They seem afraid to run into a counter attack.
-('48) Belal is in for Egypt and already creates problems as he dances out a defender on the left wing to deliver a cross
-('50) Egypt: a long range shot creates some problems for Kameni, who concedes a corner kick
- it seems Cameroon put themselves out of the game psychologically caught by the idea of prevention
- while Egypt seem fired up
- '51-'60
- anyway it seems only dangerous when egypt are using wingplay, what they did not do for several minutes
- meanwhile Olembe has come on for Cameroon
- Egypt defence with control over Cameroon attackers, Eto'o always faces two players.
-('60) Cameroon: an own goal by #5 is prevented by the keeper. It has been the second time the defender has deflected a Geremi long throw in on his own goal.
- the special psycholigical situation of this match comes from what can be best described by the metaphor of 'a half goal lead' for Cameroon: unlike a normal lead, a score for the opponent does not mean a reinstallation of a draw but the threatening out for the African champions.
-('66) Egypt: and Egypt have the chance: El Sayed is free on the left hand side and fires from 16 meters, left to the goal against the near post
-parallel match: Zimbabwe score after a corner
-('72) Egypt: Ghali sees yellow for a professional foul against Geremi
-'73-'85 rare goal scenes, a nice shot by Belal over the bar and a half chance for Cameroon. Ndiefi is in for the Lions.
-Cameroon concentrated, Egypt fighting but a little hectical in attack now
-('90) 4 minutes injury time
-('90 2) Djemba concedes a free kick 25 meters to the goal. The sharp low shot by #15 is dangerous but wide by a meter
-('90 4) Cameroon manage to keep the ball in front of the Egyptian goal

final score 0:0
Egypt incapable of creating enough chances to make a score logical. Cameroon with a dangerous concentration on preventing their opponents from scoring, but successful.