CAIRO – The Egyptian national soccer team finished preparations in readiness for their match against Croatia on Tuesday at 10:00pm Cairo Local Time in the final of Egypt Capital Cup at the brand new 93,000-seat Egypt International Stadium in the New Administrative Capital.
The tournament is part of FIFA’s new series of friendly games introduced to allow teams from different confederations to play each other, with the Pharaohs now progressing to take on the World Cup 2022 bronze medallists in the final.
The seven-time African champion, under Coach Hossam Hassan’s leadership, defeated New Zealand 1-0 on Friday, courtesy of a Moustafa Mohamed penalty in the first-half.
The African champion best chance against the All Whites came in the 79th minute, when midfielder Marwan Attia thundered a shot past New Zealand goalkeeper Crocombe into the left post from well outside the box.
World Cup semi-finallists Croatia needed a penalty shootout to beat Tunisia following a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
Tunisia will now face New Zealand in the match for the tournament’s 3rd place.
Keeper Ivica Ivusic, who replaced Dominik Livakovic in the second half, came to Croatia’s rescue with three penalty saves as his side prevailed 5-4 after the game went to a shootout.
Seifeddine Jaziri had a chance to win it for Tunisia in sudden death but Ivusic blocked his tame effort. The Cypriot-based keeper saved the decisive penalty from Oussama Haddadi.
Tunisia’s defence restricted a star-studded Croatia side featuring the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic to few chances.
Although Croatia had territorial dominance, it was Tunisia who created the game’s best chances on the break in an otherwise drab affair.
Hamza Jelassi had a goal disallowed for a marginal offside and Ali Abdi fired over the crossbar from a good position in the first half.
The best opportunity fell to Tunisia substitute Sayfallah Ltaief, who headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy in the 77th minute.
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