Fayoum succeeded only a 1-1 draw against Aluminium in the first round of the 2018-2019 Egyptian Second Division

The Egyptian Second Division started this week in all three groups. In Group A, comprising mainly the teams of Upper and Middle Egypt, all the games were played on Thursday, 9 August 2018.

As works at Fayoum Stadium are still in progress (expected to finish in September), Fayoum SC played at "home" at Alassiouty Sports Complex in Asyut against Aluminium Nag Hammadi, one of the supposedly strong teams of the group.

Fayoum starting XI against Aluminium. Source: sports.weladelbalad.com

Fayoum opened the score in the 43rd minute in the first half, with a goal by Karim Sayed, who transformed a penalty given for a foul on striker Omar Hosni in the area.

 Before kick-off. Source: sports.weladelbalad.com

The equalizer came very late, in the sixth minute of stoppage time (90+6), when Agason Milad was able to score with a header from short range after a corner kick for the final 1-1 draw.

Fayoum fielded several newly-transferred players and, despite the optimistic atmosphere, time is still needed for the newcomers to fully integrate. However, many of them have played quite well and Karim Sayed has to be considered one of the key players in this game.

The team has been seconds away from a win and this is always frustrating, especially considering the importance that any point has during this edition of the Second Division, when most teams are to be relegated to the Third Division.

The second round will be played on Thursday, 16 August, and Fayoum will play away, at Al Walideya, a team which just avoided relegation in the previous season.
Video highlights of the game against Aluminium are available on Fayoum SC Facebook page.