In the
Match between Century Clubs of Africa & Europe, Ahly scored one goal
and hit the post twice to beat All-Star Real Madrid 1/0. Young Ahly
players over-powered Zidane, Carlos, Figo, Raul, Hierro & McManaman.
The first half was dominated by the spaniards but Ahly's Portoguese manager
made some changes, making full use of Ahly's youth players (bronze medalists
in World Cup) and domiated the second. Depending on fast and accurate counter
attacks , Ahly capitalized on one occasion and wasted 4 golden opportunities.
On the other hand El-Hadary between the posts and Wael Goma'a (Ahly's new
comer) shut off Real's players.
Date:
4/8/2001
Goal Scorer: Ahly's Nigerian
Player
Sunday Ibeji (51')
Referee:
Gamal
El-Ghandour Assistant Referees: Wagih Ahmed & Salah Morgan
Real
Madrid's Lineup: César Sanchez / Geremi Fotso / Fernando Hierro
(Jose Guti,53) / Aitor Karanka / Roberto Carlos / Ivan Helguera / Claude
Makelele / Luis Figo (Steve McManaman, 63) / Zinedine Zidane (Albert Celades,74)
/ Savio Pimentel (Santiago Solari,63) / Raúl Gonzalez.
Hossam Ghali
And Luis Figo
Match
report on Real Madrid's Website (5/8/2001)
Egypt
witnessed the first Real Madrid defeat 04/08/2001.
Al Ahly had the best celebrations they could have had for their first Centenary:
defeating Real Madrid (1-0) at Cairo Stadium packed with 100.000 spectators
experiencing a historic evening. Del Bosque's squad clearly dominated the
game in the first half, in the second, though; they were overwhelmed
by the Egyptians' speed and their better physical conditions. Nobody
could have foreseen the final score right after the first half when
Real Madrid clearly had dominated the game, but the whites didn't manage
to speak the final word. Al Ahly was misleading in the fist half, because
the second was when they brought out their speed that managed to overcome
the madridist defence. One goal and two shots on the posts are proof enough
that the best team in Africa is not too far from the first football
world as it seemed. The difference in the quality of the squads was noticed
very soon. The Egyptians, however, managed to gain strength from all the
cheering coming from the Cairo Stadium stands packed with 100.000
people. But Real Madrid gradually took command of the ball and the
game. Vicente del Bosque used his rotation system again for goal
keeping (Cesar was between the posts the whole time) and put into practice
his 4-2-3-1 once more, which seems to be the one Real Madrid will be playing
with for the coming season. This system worked perfectly thanks to Makelele
and Helguera's job in getting hold of the ball, although their attack never
run quite smoothly. The connection between Zidane and the sides (Figo
and Savio) started to work gradually and Roberto Carlos and Geremi run
forward pretty often which gave some trouble to the Egypt squad. Their
goalkeeper, El-Hadary, was the best life insurance for the African. These
two Real Madrid side defenders were precisely the ones that got to the
Egyptian goal more dangerously in the first half. In minute 20 an air shot
by Geremi went right over the crossbar following to the save El-Hadary
struggled to do to stop a left kick by Roberto Carlos. In minute 38, the
Brazilian shot right into the post with his bad leg (right) after a pass
from Zidane on the edge of the area. The goal seemed to be near. A different
game After the break, the second half was like a different match.
Al Ahly had had only three dangerous shots to the goal in the first half,
but their ways changed completely after the break. Undoubtedly, the Al
Ahly goal (minute 49) greatly contributed to this change. Sandy scored
into an empty goal, following Ibraim's dribbling Cesar after a ball loss
in the Real Madrid midfield. Cairo Stadium was delighted. The Liga champion
felt the blow. They've burnt too much gas in the first half and they
run out of reserve To overcome the roasting heat in Cairo. A chain of mistakes
in the white defence could have made it into a worse score, but the posts
proved to be the best ally for Cesar. First, the right post stopped a shot
by Ibraim (min.53), and later on, the crossbar did the same for Bibo's
shot (min.70). Real Madrid's reaction was on the bench. Zidane, having
some strained muscles, Figo and Savio lefft and Celades, McManaman
and Solari came on. The Argentinean player was the most active, and along
with Raul, managed to create openings for a draw (min. 73 and 86). That
and some Raul's header were about all the Real Madrid attacking in the
second half. The whites did everything, but their attacking was no problem
for their enthusiastic opponent, who played the last minutes as if it was
an European Cup final. Celebrations remained in Cairo.
