All African affair sees Egypt take the spoils
An all African affair in the Oslo sun saw Egypt take the spoils as they beat Ivory Coast 6-2 in a well fought match on day four.
After an evenly matched opening minute, Ivory Coast would see an opportunity on goal open up. Their first attempt ricocheted off the side boarding, but a rebound came firing in hitting the crossbar.
After this, the game opened up. Both teams had great chances to break the deadlock and forced fine saves from both nations' goalkeepers.
Four minutes in, The Pharaohs took the lead, with a powerful strike into the top right corner. Continuing the end-to-end play, Egypt were able to match Ivory Coast’s attacking threats, and were almost able to double their lead.
Once again, finding space on the right flank, Egypt found themselves wide open for a shot on goal. If it weren’t for the fine form of Ivory Coast’s goalkeeper, they would have made it two.
In the sixth minute, Egypt were awarded a penalty but once again weren’t able to find a way past the cat-like reflexes of the Ivory Coast goalkeeper, who saved well up to her left.
With the last kick of the half, Les Elephants equalised the scoring in this very even contest, breaking forward with pace and giving the Egyptian goalkeeper no chance with a rocket of a shot.
Before long, another penalty was converted to give Egypt a 2-1 lead.
A quick thinking move by Egypt, saw a shot from distance driven into the back of the net, with Ivory Coast on damage limitation with a player down they sat back inviting the shot.
Another counter attack from the Egyptians came midway through the half, as the goalkeeper rolled the ball long the attack were able to shoot first time and score their fourth of the game.
Ivory Coast were handed an opportunity to get back into the tie, as they won a penalty with three minutes left. The penalty was expertly taken as an Ivory Coast player took her time and delicately chipped the Egyptian goalkeeper.
With hope on their side, Ivory Coast pushed for more, but this left them open in defence, allowing The Pharaohs to extend their tally to five.
In added time, due to an unfortunate injury to the solid Ivory Coast goalkeeper, Egypt scored their sixth, despite Ivory Coast being on top for the last moments of the game, and being unlucky not to convert three chances late on.
A great end to end game finished with Egypt winning 6-2, both teams showing a lot of attacking threat and solid defending.
Words by Izaak Darvill | Photo by Donnie Nicholson