Late Moteab goal throws Egypt World Cup lifeline

JOHANNESBURG — Emad Moteab scored five minutes into stoppage time to earn Egypt a 2-0 victory over Algeria Saturday and a 2010 World Cup lifeline.

The result left the bitter North African rivals level on points and goal difference at the top of Group C so they will meet again next Wednesday in Sudan to decide which country goes to South Africa.

Reigning African champions Egypt could not have wished for a better start with Amr Zaki giving them a second-minute lead before a sell-out 75,000 crowd at the Cairo Stadium.

But the 'Pharaohs' failed to build on their early fortune and Algeria missed several good chances to equalise in a clash between two of the fiercest African football rivals.

Moteab replaced Zaki after 65 minutes and when all seemed lost, he rose to head the ball into the far corner of the net past Algerian goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

The build-up to the match had been marred by hostility between supporters, including stones being thrown at the Algerian team bus as it drove from Cairo airport to their hotel and internet and media wars of words.

Former Wigan striker striker Zaki prodded the ball into the net after a shot from star midfielder Mohamed Aboutrika rebounded off a post as Egypt sought the three-goal victory that would bring a third World Cup appearance.

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra cleared off the Algerian line amid a wave of early Egyptian attacks before veteran goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary did well to parry a Karim Ziani header at the other end.

However, as the early sting evaporated from the 'Pharaohs' strike force the match became untidy with many players visibly nervous as Algeria sought a World Cup place 23 years after their previous appearance.

Al-Hadary pushed away a Nadir Belhadj free kick and a header from Egypt midfielder Mohamed Homos just missed the target before Antar Yahia came agonisingly close for the 'Desert Foxes' deep in first-half stoppage time.

Algeria wasted a great chance to equalise on 57 minutes when Rafik Saifi burst through only to see his lob parried to safety by Al-Hadary, long rated the best goalkeeper on the continent.

But with Egypt seemingly running out of ideas and Gaouaoui equal to every task, the national stadium erupted as Saudi Arabia-based Moteab set up a play-off in sauna-like Omdurman.