The News Hub

Egypt shocked Italy 1-0 in their second game of the 2009 Confederations Cup in Group B. Goal.com rates the players on show.
Jun 18, 2009 5:00:19 PM
Egypt VS ITALY (Picture by: Luigi Bennett/Sports Inc/Press Association Images)
Photo Gallery
Zoom
Egypt VS ITALY (Picture by: Luigi Bennett/Sports Inc/Press Association Images)
EGYPT

El Hadari - 10: This is one of the few 10's ever awarded on Goal.com. El Hadari single-handedly won the game for Egypt with countless world class saves. Of those that stood out, he denied Iaquinta three times, Montolivo and Rossi once - all of them stunning stops.

Ahmed Fathi - 7.5: Did as good a job on the marauding Grosso as any international right back has over the past few years. Really gritty performance at right back.

Hany Said - 7.5: The best of the Egypt backline. An absolute rock in the first half, Hany Said was crucial as Egypt hung on at the end.

Ahmed Said - 7: A reassuring presence at the back alongside his namesake. The two Said's held firm amid the Italian onslaught.

Wael Gomaa - 7: The bald-headed stopper was excellent in the first half, and while he had a few troubles after the break, he also comes out of this game with great credit.

Sayed Moawad - 6.5: Solid down the left hand side until he was replaced on 68 minutes. Italy made more headway down his flank when Pepe came on.

Mohamed Shawky - 6.5: Put in a hard-working shift in midfield and could have scored in the first half were it not for a superb Zambrotta challenge.

Homos- 7: Thumped home a header just before half time to earn Egypt an historic victory over Italy.

Abou Treika - 6.5: Egypt's ultra-defensive tactics made it difficult for Abou Treika to express himself, although he did conjure up one fine pass for Shawky just before half time. His corner assisted Homos' goal.

Hosni Abd Rabou - 6: Was on the outskirts of the game, and was forced to track back constantly.

Mohamed Zidan - 6: The star man from Egypt's thriller against Brazil, unfortunately Zidan picked up a hamstring problem after half-an-hour tonight. He struggled on, but was eventually subbed early in the second half.

Substitutes

Ahmed Eid - 6: Showed good pace the rare times Egypt broke on the counter.

Farag - 6: Put in a shift as Egypt edged towards victory.

Ahmed Hassan - N/V: A late introduction.

ITALY

Buffon- 6: Aside from picking the ball out of the net on Homos' winner, Buffon had nothing to do all night.

Zambrotta- 6.5: Produced one goal-saving tackle on Shawky in the first half, but aside from this had little to worry about defensively.

Cannavaro- 7: A couple of classy interventions, Cannavaro led the Italy backline well.

Chiellini- 6 : The odd clumsy moment when Cannavaro had to come to his rescue. Chiellini needs to cut out these rash episodes.

Grosso- 6.5: Up and down the left flank as always, although unlike against the USA he found Egypt's right back, Fathi, a tough nut to crack.

Gattuso- 5.5: Again looked well short of fitness, and when Gattuso is not fit, his value to the team all but disappears as he is all about grit, determination and physical pressure.

Pirlo- 7.5: An absolute class act in the middle-of-the-park, Pirlo has definitely re-discovered his form. Hit a free kick just wide, and put a chance on a plate for Iaquinta. Creative genius.

De Rossi- 6: At fault for the Egypt goal, as he should have been marking Homos. If it wasn't for this he would have received a good mark, as he won everything in midfield.

Rossi- 6.5: Easily Italy's most dangerous attacker in the first half, twice going close with that hammer left foot of his. Substituted just after half time for Toni.

Iaquinta- 6: Just not Iaquinta's night tonight. He hit the crossbar, missed three gilt-edged chances, as the ball just would not go in. Must be held responsible for Italy not getting at least a point, as nearly all the chances fell to him.

Quagliarella- 5: Aside from a fantastic pass to put Iaquinta through on goal, Quagliarella just never got into the game. He deformed Italy's shape in attack by moving around aimlessly.

Substitutes

Montolivo- 6.5: Did well after coming on, but missed an easy opportunity on 73 minutes.

Toni- 5.5: The clumsy giant made little impact, except for flicking on a few long balls.

Pepe- 6.5: His directness caused a few problems, and he made one great nutmeg pass to Iaquinta, whose shot was brilliantly saved.

Source Carlo Garganese, Goal.com