Solid Performance By Ekramy Vs Liverpool

Solid Performance By Ekramy Vs Liverpool

Date: 16-7-2007
Wrote: EP's editor Islam Issa

Sherif Ekramy played a full match in the Rotterdam Tournament versus the Reds. The Egyptian kept a clean sheet in the first half but conceded a goal through Gerrard in the 2nd. Sherif did well especially in the 2nd half and made a great save for a powerful strike by Alonso.

Read also:

Good display from Ekramy vs Champions League Runners up

Sherif Ekramy played a full match against Liverpool in Rotterdam friendly tournament. The Egyptian almost kept a clean sheet but a late goal from Gerrard ended the match in a 1-1 draw between Feyenoord and the Champions League Runners up.

Sherif faced a tough opponent who had the upper hand in both halves. However the Egyptian did well in the tests that he faced and looked solid especially in the 2nd half where he stopped two powerful shots by Alonso and Babbel.

The Egyptian was subjected to an early pressure from the Reds and particularly Dirk Kuyt who fired a shot from narrow angle that went just over the crossbar.

In the 11th minute, an organized attack from the Reds ended with a shot from the edge of the box but it sailed over the bar.

Two minutes later, Gerrard made a great solo effort and advanced with the ball into the box from the right side, he tried a low shot into the far corner but it went just wide.

In the 14th minute, Kuyt struck a volley shot from the edge of the box, the ball hit the underside of the bar and the ground and bounced back to play.

The pressure continued from Liverpool and they had most of possession but without real chances till the 44th minute when De Guzman sent a great through pass behind the defense to Slory who faced the goalkeeper and sent the ball low to come off the foot of the post and bounce back to play to find the oncoming Drenthe who buried it home with his left to give Feyenoord the lead.

Drenthe scored the only goal for Feyenoord from a good follow

In the 2nd half, the pressure continued from Liverpol in order to equalize. They tested Ekramy with a powerful shot in the 57th minute by Alonso but the Egyptian made a great fingertip save and turned the ball away to the corner.

In the 73rd minute, Gerrard managed to keep the ball under possession and advanced through the defense to face Ekramy and he sent the ball low into the back of the net to make the score 1-1.

Gerrard scored after a solo effort and defensive mistake from Feyenoord

In the 74th minute, Ekramy made a great save to stop a thunderous strike from the substitute Babel who fired a shot with his right from the edge of the box.

A few minutes later, Feyenoord had a golden chance to score the winning goal from a penalty kick. The match referee whistled for a handball in the box but Nicky Hofs wasted the chance as he sent the ball easy to the direction of the goalkeeper Reina who saved the spot kick and the score remained 1-1.

Reins stopped a penalty kick

In the final minutes, Feyenoord's goalscorer Drenthe fell after a foul and a fight started betweent he players but no red cards were shown, the Egyptian Ekramy tried to appease his teammate during that massive row between the players.

Ekramy triyng to appease his furious teammate Drenthe

The match referee blew the final whistle in the 90th minute and the game ended in a draw.

Discuss the latest about Egyptian soccer in EP forums