The Second Egyptian Division resumed and Fayoum lost 2-1 to Al Minya

Sunday, the 20th of September 2020, 3.30 pm local time, 12.30 pm UTC, Al Minya University Stadium, Al Minya, Egypt, the 18th round of the Egyptian Second Division, Group A.
The 2019-2020 Egyptian Second Division eventually resumed after a break of more than 6 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the matches in Group A were the first to be scheduled, on Sunday, the 20th of September, and Monday, the 21st of September. No spectators were allowed in the stands, and strict rules had to be obeyed, including COVID-19 tests for all the players and staff of each team before the restart.
Three Fayoum players were detected with COVID-19 right before the match away to Al Minya and were quarantined, while the rest of the team travelled up the Nile River, for this decisive match. Actually, all the remaining matches are decisive, if they still want to remain in the Second Division.

Fayoum SC players before the restart of the Second Egyptian Division, in September 2020. Source: Fayoum Facebook page

Fayoum SC started well the game in Al Minya and seemed to be in control of the game in the beginning of the match. However, the home side succeeded to break the deadlock: Ayman Nasser crossed from the right and Mustafa Shaaban Al-Shibakshi headed the ball in: 1-0 (23').
The visitors tried to come back in the game but they only succeeded this immediately after the break, when Mohamed Rifaat finalized a beautiful attack: 1-1 (49'). Unfortunately for Fayoum, this score lasted just for a couple of minutes, as Al Minya were again in advantage after another header, this time by Mohamed Ali Sadiq, after a cross from a free kick on the right side: 2-1 (51').
Fayoum tried hard to equalize once again, they missed many opportunities in the second half, but Al Minya defence resisted and succeeded to preserve the result and to win the game.
The full match was broadcasted live on Facebook by Al Minya page: First half  Second half
Starting lineups:
Al Minya: Mohamed Hassanein - Ayman Nasser, Mahmoud Al-Minshawi, Barsoum Mahrous, Castilla, Mohamed Chedid, Mustafa Shaaban Al-Shibakshi, Badawi Ashour, Amr Othman, Ahmed Essam, Mohamed Ali Sadiq. Head coach: Chedid Kenawy.
Fayoum: Ahmed Khair - Ahmed Zaki, Mohamed Al Husseini, Ahmed Saad, Mohamed Eid, Taher Rabie, Karim Raafat, Adham Hassan, Mohamed Refaat, Mohamed Ahmed, Amr Atef. Head coach: Karam Jaber.
This result provides some air to Al Minya but crushes almost all hopes for Fayoum to save themselves from relegation this season, unless another miracle happens. Even more, their next game home will be against leaders Beni Suef, which cannot afford to lose a single point, given their head-to-head fight for promotion with the National Bank. The match would normally be scheduled on Friday, the 25th of September, probably at Alassiouty Sport Resort, although Fayoum SC would like to move to a stadium in Fayoum, but Beni Suef have already objected. On the other hand, it is not normal that Fayoum SC is the only team in the Second Division which has to play all their home matches outside their town, just because Fayoum Stadium is not yet ready (after so many years) to hold a match in the Second Division.
Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 18 (20-21 September 2020)

Sohag – Telephonat 1-0

Asyut Petroleum – Media 2-0

Al Minya – Fayoum 2-1

Beni Suef – Dayrout 5-2

Aluminium – Tahta 2-2

Shaban Qena – National Bank 0-2

 

Table

 

1	Beni Suef	18	11	5	2	28-9	38	Promotion to Premier League
2	National Bank	18	11	5	2	24-9	38
3	Aluminium	18	10	3	5	22-13	33
4	Shaban Qena	18	8	7	3	14-11	31
5	Asyut Petroleum	18	8	3	7	20-21	27
6	Sohag	18	7	4	7	16-14	25
7	Telephonat	18	5	8	5	17-17	23
8	Al Minya	18	6	4	8	18-18	22	Relegation to the Third Division
9	Media	18	4	7	7	18-26	19	Relegation to the Third Division
10	Fayoum	18	5	3	10	15-19	18	Relegation to the Third Division
11	Tahta	18	2	5	11	12-28	11	Relegation to the Third Division
12	Dayrout	18	3	2	13	17-36	11	Relegation to the Third Division

Round 19 (25 September 2020)

National Bank – Sohag

Telephonat – Al Minya

Tahta – Shaban Qena

Fayoum – Beni Suef

Media – Aluminium

Dayrout – Asyut Petroleum