Key events
Al Ahly lineup
The Al Ahly side are overwhelmingly domestic. A few players from Morocco dot the roster, and they have Slovenian Nejc Gradišar on the bench.
One familiar name is Trézéguet – no, not David. It’s actually a Brazilian-style nickname for an Egyptian player Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan. He spent a few years with Aston Villa before a spell in Turkey and a return back to the club with which he started.
US fans who recall the 1998 World Cup should look away for a moment …
…
…
… ready?
The Fifa site says Al Ahly will line up in a 3-6-1, the formation that became the subject of much consternation after the USA’s ignominious departure from the 1998 Cup.
Starting XI:
GK : 1 Mohamed El Shenawy – long-serving captain starts for Egypt
D: 6 Yasser Ibrahim – 32-year-old has spent entire career in Egypt
D: 15 Achraf Dari – Moroccan player had short spell with Brest in France
D: 30 Mohamed Hany – started for Egypt at right back in last game
M: 5 Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane – Tunisian player; new to club this year
M: 7 Trézéguet – Egyptian national starter
M: 8 Hamdy Fathy – substitute in last Egypt’s last game
M: 13 Marawan Attia – another player who has stayed in Egypt for his whole career so far
M: 22 Emam Ashour – very short spell in Denmark
M: 36 Ahmed Koka – defensive mid in Egypt’s last game
F: 9 Wessam Abou Ali – Danish-born player represents Palestine internationally
Preamble
If you’ve ever wanted to see Lionel Messi take on EPL opposition in a meaningful game, tonight’s your night.
You did mean Egyptian Premier League, didn’t you?
It’s not just an Egyptian team, of course. It’s Al-Ahly FC, winners of 12 African Champions League tournaments, including four of the last six.
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime here’s Barney Ronay’s latest dispatch from Miami.
Leave a Reply