Game decided in the second half in favour of Fayoum

Fayoum - Beni Mazar 3-0 (0-0)

Ashraf Zidan 59', Taher Saad 64', 71'.

Friday, 27 October 2023, 2:30 pm local time (12:30 pm UTC), Police Academy (Ittihad El Shorta) Stadium, Cairo, Egypt, 3rd round of the Egyptian Second Division B, Group B.

Fayoum starting line-up. Photo source: Fayoum SC Facebook page

The two teams and the referees respected a moment of silence before the start of the match. Photo source: Fayoum SC Facebook page

Fayoum and Beni Mazar started very well the season, and shared the top of Group B with 4 points each (as well as Tersana) after the first two rounds, so this match could have decided the new leaders. 

In the first half, the two teams tried to control the game, both having periods of domination in the midfield, and cohesive attacks. However, despite a number of opportunities, none of the teams was able to break the deadlock.

Ashraf Zidan (Fayoum, with the ball) scored the first goal of the game. Photo source: Fayoum SC Facebook page

The second half proved decisive for the final result of the match. While Beni Mazar had a couple of chances at the beginning of the half, it was Fayoum which took over the control of the game and scored. Islam Lamouna crossed from the right side, one defender was unable to clear, allowing Ashraf Zidan to control, turn and shoot at the far post: 1-0 (59').

Just a few minutes later, Mohamad Morsi broke through the opposite defensive lines into the box, passed to his right to newly-subbed in Taher Saad, whose shot went in: 2-0 (64').

Fayoum players celebrating one of the goals. Photo source: Fayoum SC Facebook page

Immediately after, Hamad Hassan missed a third goal from short range (66'), but few minutes later Taher Saad scored again, this time after a cross by Mohamad Abdel Wahed from the left: 3-0 (71').

The visitors had no reply, they seemed physically exhausted and morally defeated as well, so it was all Fayoum at the end, missing a few more opportunities, including a shot into the post by Ahmed Sobhi from short range (90'+4').

Fayoum starting line-up: Mohamad Kandil - Islam Lamouna, Ahmed Shukry, Ahmed Salah, Mahmoud Arafat - Hamad Hassan - Karim Rashad, Mohamad Morsi, Mohamad Ismail, Mohamad Abdel Wahed - Ashraf Zidan. Manager: Saaed Sobhi.

After three rounds, Tersana and Fayoum are both top of the group with 7 points, followed by El Minya (5 points). The two top teams, Tersana and Fayoum, will face each other in the derby of the fourth round, on Friday, 10 November, at Tersana Stadium in Giza (Cairo). In the meantime, all teams played in the first preliminary round of the Egypt Cup. Fayoum faced Tut Eunkh Amw at home, and were eliminated at penalty shoot-outs, 5-3, after the game ended 0-0.