Azlan Cup :: Egyptians determined to erase two decades of misery

Egypt have for the last two decades played second fiddle to South Africa in the African continent. And they will be aiming to knock their rivals off the top in the African Nations Cup in Ghana in July.

That tournament offers the winners a direct entry to the World Cup Finals in New Delhi next year and the second-placed team will go into a qualifying tournament in November.

Egypt coach Jerzy Wybieralski said that they were grateful to get to play in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament because it provided quality matches to help them prepare for the task to dethrone South African.

“They are the ones who always qualify for the Olympics and World Cup Finals over the last two decades. We are confident that we will do well this year and hopefully we can emerge as the African champions in July,” he said.

Jerzy added that Kenya were also strong contenders and he admitted that it would be tough for Egypt to achieve the target.

The former Polish international with four World Cup Finals appearances to his name from 1975 to 1982 took up the job to handle the Egyptian team two years ago.

In Ipoh, the Egyptians have surprised everyone with their fast brand of hockey. They snatched a 2-2 draw against India in the opening match before losing 1-4 to Malaysia. Yesterday, they chalked up another creditable result, a 1-1 draw against New Zealand.

The draw with India should not come as a surprise. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Jerzy was in change of the Poland team and in their last group match, he masterminded a 1-1 draw against India.

The result put the Indians out of the semi-finals and the equaliser came in the came in the last minute just like it did here on Sunday.

“That draw was certainly not popular with the Indians. They were sure of beating us. But that is how the game goes in international matches. You cannot take any team for granted,’ said Jerzy.

India’s current coach Harender Singh and team manager Dhanraj Pillay will remember the match against the Poles.

Then, Harender was the assistant coach to V. Bhaskaran while Dhanraj was a forward in the team.