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. We didn't give up though and fought till the bitter end.Also not to be outdone was Tunisia 1:0 Egypt (2000 African Cup of Nations semis; KANO). Egypt won all three group matches under manager Gerard Gili as it began its defense of the Nations Cup title it won in Burkano Faso two years prior. But a questionable penalty converted by Khaled Badra lead to an unexpected and premature exit for Egypt and their new manager.
and...
Egypt 2:2 Algeria; 2-4 on penalties (1980 African Cup of Nations semis; IBADAN)... Egypt is up 2-0, but a penalty for Algeria and a second goal send it to extra time. Egypt eventually loses 4-2
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Remember, it isn't just about which match was most important, but which game do you recall feeling the absolute worst about? Which one really ate at your heart most and made you question your own intelligence and why you put yourself through such misery.
In depth, we have...
Cote d'Ivoire 2:0 Egypt (2006 World Cup qualifier; ABIDJAN) - Egypt fights back into World Cup contention after embarrasing losses under former boss Marco Tardelli. I recall the pain from this one too vividly... I had my hopes up way too high and couldn't sleep from several nights before. I remember writing a speech to help inspire our boys and remind them of just what representing Egypt means. Our own Walid Darwish was moved by it to the point he tried to use his contacts to deliver the speech to our boys in Abidjan. To no avail... Hopes were sky high after a string of good results under new manager Hassan Shehatta, but ultra-defensive tactics, defensive blunders, and an upstart Ivory Coast officially ended Egypt's bid to make the World Cup for the first time in 16 years.
Algeria 1:1 Egypt (2002 World Cup qualifier; ANNABA) - A match that conjures up tremendous emotion as Egypt fans recall their players and coaches getting bombarded with projectiles. The match was stopped several times, as the local fans and players stopped at nothing to make sure their North African neighbors don't qualify for the Korea/Japan 2002. FIFA wouldn't listen to the plea of 70 million to have the match re-played on neutral ground, but would suspend Annaba from hosting any international matches.
Saudi Arabia 5:1 Egypt (1999 Confed. Cup; MEXICO CITY) - This is the one for me
. The last result anybody expected after Egypt delivers one of their most inspired performances ever just one game before; coming back from 2-0 in the final 10 minutes to draw with Mexico in the rain with just 10 men at the Azteca. Perhaps doubling as the strangest match in Egypt history, the Pharaohs are the victims of 3 red cards, including 2 early on to stars Abdel Sattar Sabry and Hazem Emam. Many believed the match was bought. I lived in Saudi Arabia at the time and even several Saudis thought the match referee from Uruguay had been paid. The match even led to an internal investigation from members of the Egyptian government. Saudi Arabia would go on to lose 8-2 to the Brazilian youth team one match later 
Egypt 0:0 Zimbabwe (1994 World Cup qualifier; LYON) - Not a match I recall too well as I was living in the U.S. All one has to do is talk to a few fans to find out this is one of the most bitter episodes in Egyptian football history. Egypt had beaten Zimbabwe 1-0 in Cairo to make the final round of World Cup qualifying. But FIFA decided an uruly crowd was grounds for having the match re-played on neutral territory. Egypt could only muster a scoreless draw when it needed a win in the replay in France.
Egypt 0:0 Ireland (1990 World Cup; PALMERO) - Perhaps the most frustrating match ever for Egypt fans? The game personified "Goharian" tactics. A team that looked to have the talent to beat Ireland, if Egypt's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands the match before was any indication, chose instead to play for a scoreless draw. Back-pass after back-pass later helped push FIFA to outlaw the play. Egyptians know this FIFA law as "The El-Gohary rule"
.England 1:0 Egypt (1990 World Cup; CAGLIERI) - Egypt had an outside chance of qualification with a draw going into the match, but no one knew what to expect after the miserable draw with Ireland. Instead Egypt was sent packing finishing bottom of the group after a promising start to the tournament.
Egypt 2:2 (7:8 PK) Nigeria (1984 ACN semis; ABIDJAN) - Just as was the case against Algeria four years prior, a penalty helps Egypt lose a 2-0 lead after a place in the final looked certain. The Pharaohs eventually lose 7-8 in a nerve-shattering penalty shootout.
Tunisia 4:1 Egypt (1978 World Cup qualifier; TUNIS) - This match was before my time but it doesn't take much to know that this was one of the most promising teams in Egypt history, and this was the closest Egypt had been to qualifying for the World Cup in some time. All Mahmoud El-Khateeb, Hassan Shehatta and co. needed was a draw in Tunis. The result was worse than even the most pessemistic Egyptian fans expected.
Egypt 2:3 Zaire (1974 African Cup of Nations semis; CAIRO) - The mood in Egypt was one of pride and achievement following the victory of the armed forces in the October War months prior. But this match would start a dubious trend for the Pharaohs in the African Cup of Nations. It was the first of THREE times over a 10-year span in this competition that Egypt would give up a 2-0 lead in the semifinals and lose the match. The other two are listed above. The loss was especially bitter considering we were hosting the tournament.
So which one was it? I would've listed all the possible matches if this poll allowed for more than 10 choices. Which loss in the annals of Egyptian football stung your heart the most? If it's not listed up here, tell us about it.
This post has been edited by Go Pharaohs: 30 January 2007 - 02:11 PM
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