A million photos and plenty of goals for Egypt
Egypt kept up their quest to win a first title at this year’s 2025 Oslo Homeless World Cup with victory over Ireland in the Men’s Stage Two on Day 6 of the competition.
Having already secured wins over Switzerland, Costa Rica, Netherlands, England, Brazil and India - losing only to Mexico on penalties - Egypt saw off Ireland by 11 goals to 2 to take their goal tally so far in the competition to just shy of sixty.
Good play down the left wing saw Egypt take the lead early on, before a strong block from an Ireland shot prevented them getting back on level terms. With Egypt finding joy down the left flank, they soon found themselves 3-0 up thanks to two quick breaks. One shot finished under the Ireland keeper with the second blasted home from close range. Egypt’s captain then jinked by a few players to fire home for their fourth, before some trickery put a player clean through to pass to his teammate to finish for 5-0. Their sixth soon followed off a quick counter before Ireland were denied a second just before half-time.
Into the second half, a great interception helped Egypt extend their lead before a great snap shot forced their keeper to make a quick reaction save to deny Ireland. A sweet right-foot shot from distance into the corner put Egypt 8-1 up, before a good passing move across the pitch saw them score their ninth of the game. Soon it was 10, with Egypt launching a quick break from an Ireland chance in front of goal to slot home, before Ireland finally got their second of the game off a drilled strike from distance. A slice of fortune from a backpass saw Egypt get their 11th of the game, before they struck the bar in the closing seconds as they searched for a 12th.
Egypt manager Soubhy Saad Hanna said: “I told the players before the match to enjoy it, move the ball and try to keep possession as much as we can and avoid getting injured.
The relationship between the players is what makes us so strong. It’s not just our football. The players all care about and love each other. There’s a strong bond.”
He added: “I try to talk with them to change their thinking. This is the best thing we are doing this week. To try to give them the experience to change how they can live and how they can act in life. It’s so important.
“For the players here everything is different. The transportation. Everything is clean. It’s a different culture. They’ve made friends with everyone. All the teams have a good relationship with the Egyptians. The players have taken a million photos.”
Words by Craig Williams | Photos by John Anderson