Egypt fail to impress

Egypt were strong at the U-20 CAN in Ethiopia - can they find that form again?

Egypt 0-0 Jamaica

The first African team to play at the Under-20 World Cup, Egypt, have drawn with Jamaica in a Group A game played in Buenos Aires on Sunday night.

The Egyptians dominated much of the match but failed to make use of their chances and on a few occasions were lucky to escape conceding a goal.

They will be kicking themselves after Gamal Hamza missed a 63rd minute penalty, pulling his spot-kick wide.

They appeared to have broken the deadlock in the 87th minute, but were ruled offside after Mohamed El Yamany had failed to finish the rebound off Jamaican keeper Allien Whitaker.

There were several other chances like that for the Egyptians, Hamza trying a lob over Whitaker, who parried the ball for a corner.

Early threat

Egypt had established control of the game since the first half with penetrating runs inside the Jamaican defence marshalled by the tough skipper of the side, Shavar Thomas.

Coach Shawky Gharib was unimpressed

Jamaica's earlier threat in the opening minutes had obviously been forgotten when Omar Daley took a shot from 30 yards that was blocked for a corner.

Apart from that, Egyptian keeper Mohamed Soghi was on holiday for almost 20 minutes.

Jamaica, however, could have scored with three clear chances.

Christopher Nicholas hit the side netting with only Sobhi to beat from close range in the 88th minute.

Jamaica were supposedly the easiest opponents for the Egyptians and the goalless draw could be a setback to qualify for the next round with a game against the hosts Argentina and an impressive Finland side still to come.

Finland are bottom after losing to Argentina 2-0, Egypt and Jamaica have one point each.

The other African teams, Ghana, Angola and Ethiopia, make their opening appearance in the competition on Monday.

Ghana will play Paraguay, Angola face the Czech Republic and Ethiopia meet Ecuador.