Disaster strikes for Fayoum SC as they lost 2-1 at home to last classified Tahta

Sunday, the 16th of February 2020, 14:30 local time (12:30 UTC), Alassiouty Sports Resort, Fayoum, Egypt, the 15th round of the Egyptian Second Division, Group A.

Fayoum SC are closer than ever to relegation to the Third Division as they unexpectedly lost their easiest match possible, at home against last classified Tahta, a team which has never won a single match this season, in the 14 rounds that have been played so far.

It is also true that Fayoum have not a single match this year (2020) in the four games played since the departure of their previous coach, Mohamed Youssef.

 The two teams are prepared to start the game: Fayoum in red, Tahta in green. Source: Welad El Balad Sports Facebook page

However, everything seemed fine in the first half of the game, especially since Mohamed Refaat scored for the home side: 1-0 (27').

Nevertheless, the visitors, with a new coach, Mustafa Hakim, played courageously and equalized in the final minutes of the first half, by means of the Senegalese striker Al-Singhani Faw: 1-1 (42').

Source: Welad El Balad Sports Facebook page

This goal gave the visitors enough confidence for the second half, which was very poor from the side of Fayoum SC, who probably imagined that they would win the game just by being present in the field. Tahta eventually won the game as Haitham Shabaan scored their second goal: 1-2 (65').

All the efforts made by Fayoum players until the end of the game were fruitless. Tahta won the game, although they are almost mathematically relegated, and this is their first (and possibly last?) win this season. Even if they win the remaining seven games, it is hard to imagine that they will be able to avoid relagation.

Unfortunately, the same may be said of Fayoum SC. A logical win today would have provide them some hope, although the gap to the seventh place is large enough already. This result really buries all remaining hopes. Mathematically, there are still seven matches to be played. How many of these matches would Fayoum be able to win, if they were not able to win over the weakest team in the group?

The team management must be prepared for the worse. Relegation is around the corner and a strategy must be imagined, starting right now. Under head coach Karam Jaber, the team lost almost all the games and one issue they should think about is if they keep the same head coach and coaching staff. However, it is too late probably to change anything right now, and no coach in the world would come to avoid relegation. If a new head coach is contracted, he must be hired thinking about the next season, not this one.