Egypt bounce back against Czechs

Egypt have boosted their hopes of a place in the last 16 with an accomplished 7-2 win over the Czech Republic at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium. A hat-trick from Ramadan Hamasry helped secure a result that takes his side ahead of the Czechs on goal difference in Group E, a section led by Serbia, who earlier secured their spot in the knockout phase with a second win in succession. The Pharaohs made a good start to the match, forcing Czech keeper Libor Gercak into some good saves, and fell behind against the run of play when Matej Slovacek slotted home at the back post from Lukas Resertar’s low cross. It took until the 11th minute for an equaliser to arrive but it was worth the wait, with Ramadan Samasry showing great strength to hold off his marker and shoot inside the far post after working a one-two with Islam El Darwu. Then, a minute before half-time, Egypt took the lead as Bougy charged in bravely on a rebound to crash the ball home off the underside of the crossbar. It was a lead they increased two minutes into the second half, when a long throw from keeper Hema picked out Ahmed Mohamed, who lifted a delightful finish over the advancing Gercak. The Egyptians always looked in control thereafter and although Resetar pulled a goal back, Samasry soon re-established his team’s two-goal cushion after showing superb pace to burst through the middle of the Czech defence and then nutmeg the keeper. But the goal of the match, and perhaps of the tournament, came when Mostafa Nader made it 5-2 with a first-time volley from midway inside his own half after the Czechs had committed all five players forward and left their net unguarded. And there was still time for further gloss to be added to the scoreline, with Samasry completing his hat-trick from Mizo’s unselfish cross and Mizo himself completing the scoring with a couple of minutes remaining. FIFA