Egypt's Dawry players played an average game, and took a 2-0 lead after a 0-0 first period. Abo-treika slotted in a rebounded block well from the edge of the area, and Zamalek's Ali headed in well from Tarek El-Sayed's great cross. Stern John pulled one back for Trinidad and Tobago, but Egypt won. There was however, very little to be proud about.

Egypt's Dawry players played an average game, and took a 2-0 lead after a 0-0 first period. Abo-treika slotted in a rebounded block well from the edge of the area, and Zamalek's Ali headed in from Tarek El-Sayed's great cross. Stern John pulled one back for Trinidad and Tobago, but Egypt won 2-1. There was however, very little to be proud about.

Egypt's first international match since last CAN ended as a 2-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago. Trinidad & Tobago didn't include their best line-up with players like Dwight Yorke, Kevin Lisbie and Latapy not included. On the other hand, Egypt had a significantly weaker team on, with no professionals
from abroad being in the squad. The team consisted of Ahly, Zamalek, Ismaily and ENPPI players.

Egypt began the match with a 4-4-2 formation which is different to the 5-3-2 formation that most Egyptian league clubs use. Egypt's new manager Tardelli watched the match from the stands as he will begin his work at the beginning of next month.

The starting eleven of the Egyptian side saw new faces like Osama Hassan, Mohamed Abdallah, Mohamed Abo-Treika, Mohamed Shawky and Ahmed El-Sayed.

The Egyptian side had complete control of possession in the first half but without having any clear chances. The first chance was from Egypt's new international Mohamed Abo-Treika, who had a good chance but his shot was deflected. Veteran Hossam Hassan tried his best as he is looking to break
Pushkas' record of scoring the highest number of international goals, but his team-mates didn't provide him with the best of chances, although he headed over early on. Hossam Hassan who was closed down well by the Trindad's defence, tried to dive a header in from a couple of yards out but
it was scrambled away.

The Trinidad team tried to control the ball in midfield but they weren't able to do so. They concentrated on defence by closing the right and left wings which made the Egyptian team begin to shoot from outside the penalty area. Osama Hassan was attempting many shots from outside the area. Tarek El-Sayed also was close as his shot went just over the bar.

The last five minutes were dominated by the Trinidad side that had two clear chances to score, only for goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed to save. The first saw Abdel-Wahed save to the side, and the second saw poor defending from Egypt, and a free header, but Abdel-Wahed saved onto the bar and over.

The second half saw the Egyptian side having a couple of changes with Hossam Hassan, Osama Hassan and Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed going off, replaced by Abdel-Halim Ali, Osama Hosny and Essam El-Hadary respectively.

The Trinidad team got extremely physical in the second half. Tamer Abdel-Hamid was injured after an awful challenge just ten after the second half started, and he was replaced by Hosni Abd-Rabo. After 15 minutes Mohamed Abo-Treika scored on his international debut after Abdel-Halim Ali's cross from the right was cleared by the Trinidad defence, only to find the Ahly player, who managed to shoot from 25 yards out, smoothly into Hislop's net.

The goal gave the Egyptian players the much needed confidence as it took only 7 minutes more to get the second. Abdel-Halim Ali was able to find the net in the 22nd minute. He rose high to head the ball from a free kick swung in wonderfully from the left by Tarek El-Sayed.

Tarek El-Sayed was then replaced by Hassan Mostafa. Osama Hosny tried his luck in the 25th minute but his shot was just wide. Later Ahmed Fathy went for a long shot but it went far away. The Egyptian team went on to dominate the match with the Trinidad team looking only to defend, and looking for the counter attack. In the 33rd minute though, Trinidad scored their first goal when a good cross from the right flank was played, and forward Stern John of Birmingham City found himself alone inside the area. He shot the ball which was slightly deflected into the back of the net.

Abdel-Halim Ali had a clear chance when he had only the keeper to beat, but Premiership keeper Shaka Hislop managed to grab from the Zamalek striker as he tried to run around him. Abo-Treika also took a shot but was saved, thus preventing his name from going on the score sheet once more.

In the first minute of injury time, Abo-Treika showed his abilities as he went past two players before having a shot inches wide. It was however a bad sign that he didn't pass, as Abdel-Halim was free next to him, but he went for glory.

It looked to be the last action of the match, as the referee blew his whistle and ended the encounter. The Egyptian team in their first match back didn't have a good one, as they never played as a team but there's still a long way to go. The match showed that Mr. Tardelli will have a lot of work to do, and there was not much at all to be proud of...

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