Contrary to many people’s criticisms on Egypt team as to why they must have to wait for a penalty shoot-out to determine their results, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that if it is a tactical plan that works for them.
Moreover, if they had got the chance to win their game at the regulation time, I do not think they will hold that back.
However, a few lessons should be picked from how the Pharaohs went about taking their penalties that eventually led to them losing the trophy to the Senegalese team on Sunday night.
Gabaski added names on his water bottle
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While this particular scenario of the Egyptian goal-keeper had generated mixed reactions from many fans, I think it was one of those incidents that led to their loss.
As against many’s beliefs though, that Gabaskiought to be sanctioned for the act, I do not think he committed any offence in tabling down the possible direction each player of the opponent will shoot his penalty based on their statistical records.
The only thing I had observed in the game and how they lost was that the idea came too late. He could have studied that a day or 2 days before the game.
Another thing the Egyptian Keeper had done was to use that to confuse himself and as well disorganise himself, to the point he eventually lost focus.
Players Putting penalties in the same direction
Another big mistake from the Pharaohs in their final game with Senegal was a decision to put their penalties in the same direction, and the keeper also dived in one direction.
Well, that decision should not even have been an issue if they had stuck to that plan all through. After all, the approach once worked for a team like Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid, and it worked for Villarreal against Manchester United in the Europa Cup final.
But, whichever way they have gone about it, that approach for me, was psychologically confusing because it makes both a keeper and players of the team involved lose focus at certain points.
Sometimes, in life, you should be known for a certain category and don’t shift focus especially if the strategy keeps working for you. But on the other hand, if it seems your weakness had been discovered, you may need to change direction.
Mo Salah taking the last penalty
I could remember this similar approach was used for Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2012 Euro final match against Spain, when, as a Captain of Portugal, he was listed to take the final penalty, but never had the chance to take it as Spain were already winning by 4-2.
For me, I will question the coach of Egypt’s decision to allow Salah to take the final penalty for his team at a crucial period like that of Sunday.
After their 1st and 2nd penalty on Sunday, I had presumed the Egyptians were up for a mistake, as I didn’t see Salah take first or second. If the style worked for them in their semifinal clash with Cameroon, does that mean it will work again this time?
As a captain, his teammates would have expected him to take the lead to boost their morals, but refusing to take that responsibility must have caused psychological disorganisation in the team as they would have to take their penalties with tension.
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