Haven't see a thread on this yet. This match will have a huge impact on our group so I thought I'd start a thread... It starts at 11:30 Eastern right?
Looks like the Egyptian team will be missing two starters through red card suspensions. I didn't look into the Germany Egypt match until this AM when I found out that one of the two red cards was given to an Egyptian player who broke one of the German's shin (two bones mind you) cleanly on a reckless challenge. Here's hoping that is more than a one game suspension for that kid. His coach claims it wasn't meant to injure. Please. Also, Messi is starting this one. I can't understand why he didn't start the game against us other than overconfidence.
The red cards stink in group play because if it's only one game it means that the USA will be the only team not to have an advantage against Egypt because of it.
There's a matchtracker here: http://www.fifa.com/en/comp/WYC/WYCScoreCard/0,4380,WYC-2005-10000,00.html
Argentina are working these guys. It's only a matter of time. Messi dribbled three and hit the crossbar. Very Adu-like.
My uncle's grandson (anyone care to inform me how that person is related to me?) had his shin broken playing baseball. No one has any idea exactly how it happened. He and another guy just collided. He's a little younger than the German (by only a year or so). He's taken several months. Basically -- ouch. Serious ouch for both bones. He'll be out a year probably. Sadness. We're going to have to be careful, because it's likely Egypt will be fighting hard for 3 points.
So when does Argentina start panicking? Sure lots of time left in this one but the pressure these kids are under must start to show at some point in the not too distant future.
After weathering a series of attacks from Arg. offense, Egypt now has an idea of how to defence. It's kind of predictable....
If Egypt knows how to contain Messi, they will contain half of Arg. attacking options. An Egyptian player got injured in the 35th minute, looks serious.
If your are on the FIFA match tracker click on the Morrocco-Honduras game and look at the cards. Bet I know who won't get the fair play award...
around 40 minutes played: the injured egyptian is back on after being stretchered off. argentina has had the most of the possession, but nothing too dangerous other than messi's one run. it was a very nice move, cutting inside, and then back out, leaving three defenders practically running into each other. but then he skied the shot from 12-14 yards, possibly nicking the top of the bar. he could (and should) have passed it into the goal. the egyptian team has seem to grow stronger as the game progresses, but this is still argentina's game to win
now it's egypt's turn. nice dribble across the middle from the right side, then chipped to the left winger (#11 - said) onside. he's in alone, but pops it over the goal from 14 yards. should have done better.
You know, if Egypt is giving Argentina a run for its money, we should not be overconfident when facing them either...even if we were to get a point or three vs. Germany..
nearing the end of the 1st half, an egyptian defender has now been carried off on a stretcher. there will be two minutes of stoppage time.
it's halftime. 0-0. argentina has hit the post twice (once solidly and the other on messi's sitter) and egypt was in for one clear look. but not much else. argentina should be more frustrated, but both have reason to hope for the second half. neither can afford to lose. they both may tighten up if it stays scoreless.